SEX SCANDAL: Pope’s aide arrives Australia to face charges

Pope Francis’ chief financial adviser, Cardinal George Pell has arrived Sydney in his native Australia to face charges of multiple counts of ‘historical sexual offences’.

Pell (Australia’s most senior Catholic) arrived Sydney ahead of his first court appearance later this month to answer for the charges brought against him by Australian police.

The Sydney Catholic archdiocese said on Monday Pell’s return “should not be a surprise” because he had already said he would return to defend himself against the charges.

Read also: SEX SCANDAL: Pope Francis boots out church’s chief of doctrine

It said in a statement Pell “consulted his doctors and on their advice took several days to return home, breaking his journey in a number of places to avoid long-haul flights”.

The embattled Cardinal has declared his innocence and said he is returning to home to clear his name.

Pell, according to Victoria state Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton, Pell has been summoned to face multiple charges of “historic sexual offences”, meaning offences that generally occurred some time ago.

His court appearance will make him become the highest-ranking Vatican official to ever be charged in the church’s long-running sexual abuse scandal.

 

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