Catholic Church demands ‘fair go’ for George Pell

By Tessa Akerman, Pia Akerman
Australian
May 18, 2017

https://goo.gl/U5cfJ7

Cardinal George Pell outside his apartment in Rome. Photo by David Dyson

As Victoria Police detectives weigh up whether to initiate proceedings after further advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions, senior Australian Catholics threw their support behind the cardinal and turned on his critics for denying him a “fair go”.

Cardinal Pell, 75, is serving as prefect of the secretariat of the economy to the Vatican, a role he has held since 2014.

He has strenuously denied all allegations. Although Australia has no extradition treaty with the Vatican, supporters of Cardinal Pell believe Australia’s most senior Catholic would return home voluntarily to face court if he were charged on a brief of evidence that prosecutors have now sent back to detectives for a second time, without a recommendation on court action.

Speaking in Rome, Cardinal Pell strongly denied any wrongdoing, declaring: “I’d just like to restate my innocence, I stand by everything I’ve said at the royal commission and in other places.’’

Asked if he was prepared to ­return, Cardinal Pell replied: “I will continue to co-operate fully.”

If charges are laid, this would open the way for him to testify in Australia but illness could prevent him flying, leading to a long-haul alternative. His doctor gave evidence last year that the flight from Europe to Australia could induce heart failure.

Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher lashed out yesterday in ­defence of Cardinal Pell, saying he had co-operated “in every way” with police, parliamentary and royal commission ­investigations.

“Everyone supports just ­investigation of complaints but the ­relentless character attacks on Cardinal Pell, by some, stand the principle of innocent until proven guilty on its head,” Archbishop Fisher said. “Even churchmen have a right to a fair go.”

He said it was unfortunate that a book containing allegations about the cardinal had been ­released the same week the brief was returned to Victoria Police, fuelling further public interest.

“This cannot assist the impartial pursuit of justice,” he said, ­arguing many of the allegations had already been answered.

Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions John Champion SC has reportedly advised that the cardinal could be charged, but made no recommendation as to ­whether this should occur.

While Melbourne auxiliary bishop Mark Edwards tweeted that a crown prosecutor would decide whether to lay charges, former chief magistrate Nick Papas QC said the DPP was usually “loath to interfere” and saw it as a decision for investigators.

The Vatican has previously blocked bids to force its citizens to face foreign legal proceedings.

In 2014 the Vatican refused to extradite a priest accused of sex­ually abusing children while he was papal nuncio (ambassador) to the Dominican Republic, saying Vatican law did not allow it.

Allegations against Cardinal Pell relate largely to his tenure as a young priest in the Ballarat diocese, where hundreds of children were abused by the clergy. It has been alleged that he abused young boys in ­Ballarat’s Eureka swimming pool in the 70s. He has vehement­ly denied this.