Vatican to open own probe into accusations against Pell
Cardinal could be dismissed from the priesthood if the Vatican’s doctrinal department also finds him guilty
Vatican — The Vatican is opening its own investigation into accusations against Cardinal George Pell, who was found guilty of sexual abuse of minors in his native Australia, a spokesperson said on Wednesday. The move means that Pell, who maintains his innocence and plans to appeal against the verdict, could be dismissed from the priesthood if the Vatican’s doctrinal department also finds him guilty. Pell’s conviction has been particularly embarrassing for the Vatican and Pope Francis, coming just two days after the end of a major meeting of Catholic Church leaders on how better to tackle the abuse of children by clergy. The 77-year-old Pell, a former top Vatican official, will spend his first night behind bars on Wednesday after he was remanded in custody pending sentencing for sexually abusing two choir boys in Australia two decades ago. “After the guilty verdict in the first instance concerning Cardinal Pell, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith [CDF] will now handle the...
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