Cardinal George Pell to be charged with serious offences
Cardinal George Pell, Australia’s highest ranking Catholic, is set to be charged with a slate of serious child sex offences, with an announcement expected from Victorian Police.
Fairfax reports there are expected to be up to three serious sexual assault charges, including at least one count of rape, with the announcement expected to send shockwaves through the Catholic Church in Australia and around the world.
It is not clear whether the 76-year-old cardinal will return home to fight the charges, or if authorities will need to seek to extradite him. Australia has no extradition treaty with the Vatican, so Cardinal Pell may avoid prosecution should he opt against returning.
The decision to charge the Cardinal ends months of speculation regarding the case and will have significant implications in the Catholic Church, with Cardinal Pell sitting only a couple of rungs below the Pope on the church’s hierarchy ladder.
Cardinal Pell has previously been accused of sexually abusing a number of boys, but has repeatedly denied all allegations and stated he would co-operate with any investigation.
Victorian Police are expected to announce the charges within hours.
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