Vatican to open own investigation into accusations against Pell [View all]
Source: Reuters
WORLD NEWS FEBRUARY 27, 2019 / 6:41 AM / UPDATED 10 HOURS AGO
Vatican to open own investigation into accusations against Pell
Philip Pullella
4 MIN READ
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - 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 spokesman said on Wednesday.
The move means that Pell, who maintains his innocence and plans to appeal the verdict, could be dismissed from the priesthood if the Vaticans doctrinal department also finds him guilty.
The Pell conviction has been particularly embarrassing for the Vatican and Pope Francis, coming just two days after the end of a major meeting of Church leaders on how to better 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.
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https://www.reuters.com/article/us-australia-abuse-pell-vatican/vatican-to-open-own-investigation-into-accusations-against-pell-idUSKCN1QG1JQ