Cardinal George Pell will stand trial for at least three historical sexual offence charges, becoming the most senior member of the Catholic Church to ever face court for such allegations.
Magistrate Belinda Wallington confirmed the development this morning in Melbourne, as part of her ruling on which of the numerous historical sexual offence allegations brought against the 76-year-old should go to court.
Several charges were also thrown out. One complainant died before today’s hearing, and Wallington found another was medically unfit to deliver evidence at a trial.
Pell has vehemently denied all of the allegations made against him.
He is expected to face another hearing in the near future, where his trial dates will be confirmed.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne has issued a statement on the matter, with Archbishop of Melbourne Denis Hart expressing “his confidence in the judicial system in Australia”.
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