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 Accusers of Vatican treasurer to testify in sex abuse case

 

The alleged victims in the historic sexual offenses brought against the treasurer for the Vatican are to be questioned in court for the first time this week.
Cardinal George Pell, who stood down from his post in Rome in June last year to fight the case in his home country of Australia after being charged by Victoria police on multiple allegations, is required to attend Melbourne Magistrates Court each day of the four-week long committal hearing.
He strongly denies all the allegations against him, and his lawyer has already informed the court he will officially be pleading not guilty.
The unprecedented case, adding to the numerous abuse scandals that have hit the Catholic Church globally, is the first time such a senior figure in the Holy See has faced criminal charges.
Pell’s first appearance in Melbourne last July played host to an international media contingent of more than 100 reporters, court artists, television crews and photographers who’d gathered at the steps of the court.
The first two weeks of this month’s committal are expected to hear solely from the accusers in a closed court. The remaining two weeks will be dedicated to the cross-examination of at least 40 other witnesses.
Some law experts and advocates say they are concerned the public won’t get full transparency when evidence is given in the closed court. They also fear the experience will likely be “distressing” for the complainants as their testimony is tested by the 76-year-old’s defense team.
The accusers will give evidence by videolink from a remote location. They’ll be cross-examined by Pell’s criminal defense barrister, Robert Richter, who is well known in Australia for his lengthy and forensic questioning of witnesses.
Professor Jeremy Gans, who teaches on all aspects of the criminal justice system at Melbourne University, told CNN there are services in place to help complainants try to prepare to be cross examined, but it’s not an easy process.

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