Loading...
Loading...
Click here if you don’t see subscription options
Associated PressApril 30, 2018
(AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca, File)

The most senior Vatican official to be charged in the Catholic Church sex abuse crisis will stand trial. Cardinal George Pell will face at least one charge at trial after being accused of sexually abusing multiple victims decades ago. Magistrate Belinda Wallington on Tuesday dismissed some of the other charges against Pell. Wallington is issuing her ruling in the Melbourne Magistrates Court.

Wearing a cleric's collar, Pell earlier arrived by car in front of the downtown court where police officers were waiting to maintain order. His lawyer has called the charges untrue and Pell said previously he would plead not guilty if ordered to stand trial.

For background on the case read Gerard O'Connell's report here.

More: Vatican
Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.

The latest from america

Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández declared that the Vatican will only validate reports of Marian apparitions in “exceptional” cases that incur the special interest of the pope.
A Homily for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, by Father Terrance Klein
Terrance KleinJuly 17, 2024
The 58-year-old Portuguese Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça is widely recognized not only as a poet but also as one of the leading intellectuals of the Roman Curia.
Gerard O’ConnellJuly 17, 2024
Former President Donald Trump appears with vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance during the Republican National Convention on July 15, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
At one time, the presence of Catholics on both major-party tickets would have been cause for celebration. But now Mr. Vance and Mr. Biden reflect the political divisions among U.S. Catholics.