Vatican finance chief Cardinal George Pell said Thursday that he would return to Australia to try to clear his name after becoming the most senior Catholic cleric to be charged with criminal offences linked to the Church's longrunning sexual abuse scandal. Pell was ordered to appear on July 18 at court in Melbourne for a preliminary hearing on multiple sexual assault charges related to offences allegedly committed decades ago.
Pope Francis granted him a leave of absence, making it clear the cardinal would not be forced to resign his post as head of the Vatican's powerful economic ministry. Claiming he had been the victim of a campaign of "relentless character assassination", Pell vowed to beat the charges and return to work in Rome.
"I am looking forward finally to having my day in court. I am innocent of these charges," the 76-year-old said. "They are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me." In a supportive statement, the Vatican noted Francis's respect for the Australian's "honesty" and "energetic dedication" to his work on Church financial reform.