ABRA LANE, PRESENTER: Tonight, a special report. Rightly or wrongly,
over the course of the child abuse royal commission, one figure has
emerged as a lightning rod for the anger of Catholics. Cardinal George
Pell has been grilled over what he knew about clergy abuse of children
in the Church's care. Tonight, 7.30 changes the focus of that discussion
to reveal a series of allegations levelled against the Cardinal
himself. Victoria's Police Commissioner recently confirmed his Taskforce
Sano is investigating George Pell over multiple allegations.
We can reveal that investigation has been going for more than a year and involves a number of complainants spanning decades. 7.30 understands that file has been sent to the Office of Public Prosecutions for advice. The Cardinal has issued a statement saying he emphatically and unequivocally rejects any allegations of sexual abuse against him. 7.30 acknowledges the Cardinal is entitled to a presumption of innocence and that the allegations are yet to be tested by any court. In an investigation over several months, reporter Louise Milligan and producer Andy Burns spoke to scores of witnesses and other sources, piecing together the complaints being examined by the police. Many of those they spoke to are concerned that the full picture may never emerge and that's why they've decided to tell their story publicly. Because of the nature of the story, a warning that it contains details that may distress some viewers.
http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2016/s4508646.htm
We can reveal that investigation has been going for more than a year and involves a number of complainants spanning decades. 7.30 understands that file has been sent to the Office of Public Prosecutions for advice. The Cardinal has issued a statement saying he emphatically and unequivocally rejects any allegations of sexual abuse against him. 7.30 acknowledges the Cardinal is entitled to a presumption of innocence and that the allegations are yet to be tested by any court. In an investigation over several months, reporter Louise Milligan and producer Andy Burns spoke to scores of witnesses and other sources, piecing together the complaints being examined by the police. Many of those they spoke to are concerned that the full picture may never emerge and that's why they've decided to tell their story publicly. Because of the nature of the story, a warning that it contains details that may distress some viewers.
http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2016/s4508646.htm