Cardinal George Pell has confirmed in a press conference in Vatican City this afternoon that he will return to Australia to face the “decades-old charges that have been attributed to him“.
The took the opportunity to accuse the media of running a smear campaign intended to ruin his name, and to once again deny the allegations.
“These matters have been under investigation now for two years. There have been leaks to the media. There has been relentless character assassination.“I am looking forward finally to having my day in court. I’m innocent of these charges. They are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me.“All along I have been completely consistent and clear in my total rejection of these allegations. Court proceedings now offer me an opportunity to clear my name.”
He’s been granted a leave of absence by the Pope, and as long as his doctors give him the okay, will be headed home to appear in court on allegations of historic sexual assault offences. He’ll first appear in court on July 18.
Source: ABC.
Image: Handout / Getty.
