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Vatican finance chief legal threat over 'sociopath' claim Vatican finance chief legal threat over 'sociopath' claim
(about 4 hours later)
The Vatican's finance chief George Pell is seeking legal advice after being accused of an "almost sociopathic" approach to child abuse allegations.The Vatican's finance chief George Pell is seeking legal advice after being accused of an "almost sociopathic" approach to child abuse allegations.
The allegations came from Peter Saunders, a member of the Vatican's own commission on child protection. The allegations from Peter Saunders, a member of the Vatican's own commission on child protection, come as Australia investigates historic abuses.
Mr Saunders told Australian media the Australian cardinal was a "massive thorn" in the side of the papacy. Australian-born Cardinal Pell denies accusations he helped cover up abuses by a paedophile priest.
Cardinal Pell has offered to testify in a major Australian inquiry into institutional child sex abuse. He has offered to testify at the Australian inquiry.
He is accused of silencing a victim of a paedophile priest and aiding the priest's move to another parish. Mr Saunders, himself a victim of abuse by a priest, was appointed by Pope Francis last year to the Vatican's new commission to protect children.
Mr Saunders, who was appointed by Pope Francis last year to the new commission to protect children, on Sunday said Cardinal Pell - the most senior Australian Catholic cardinal - had a "catalogue of denial" about child abuse in the church. He said Cardinal Pell had a "catalogue of denial" about child abuse in the church, which was "making a mockery" of the Vatican's wider abuse investigations.
Mr Saunders told Channel Nine TV the cardinal should be sent back to Australia.
'Cold-heartedness'
"Personally I think that his position is untenable because he has now a catalogue of denials," said Mr Saunders, who is himself a victim of paedophile priests.
"He has a catalogue of denigrating people, of acting with callousness, cold-heartedness, almost sociopathic I would go as far as to say, this lack of care," he said about the Cardinal's handling of abuse claims."He has a catalogue of denigrating people, of acting with callousness, cold-heartedness, almost sociopathic I would go as far as to say, this lack of care," he said about the Cardinal's handling of abuse claims.
"Given the position of George Pell as a cardinal of the church and a position of huge authority within the Vatican, I think he is a massive, massive thorn in the side of Pope Francis's papacy if he's allowed to remain.""Given the position of George Pell as a cardinal of the church and a position of huge authority within the Vatican, I think he is a massive, massive thorn in the side of Pope Francis's papacy if he's allowed to remain."
A spokesperson for Mr Pell on Monday described the claims as "false and misleading" and said the Cardinal would now consult with his legal advisers.A spokesperson for Mr Pell on Monday described the claims as "false and misleading" and said the Cardinal would now consult with his legal advisers.
"Cardinal Pell has never met Mr Saunders, who seems to have formed his strong opinions without ever having spoken to His Eminence," said the spokesperson in a statement."Cardinal Pell has never met Mr Saunders, who seems to have formed his strong opinions without ever having spoken to His Eminence," said the spokesperson in a statement.
"In light of all of the available material, including evidence from the Cardinal under oath, there is no excuse for broadcasting incorrect and prejudicial material," the statement said."In light of all of the available material, including evidence from the Cardinal under oath, there is no excuse for broadcasting incorrect and prejudicial material," the statement said.
Abuse investigationAbuse investigation
Australia is investigating how schools, churches and the government responded to child abuse cases.Australia is investigating how schools, churches and the government responded to child abuse cases.
A royal commission has been hearing testimony from victims in Ballarat in the state of Victoria, where priest Gerald Ridsdale had sexually abused dozens of boys in various parishes between the 1950s and 1970s.A royal commission has been hearing testimony from victims in Ballarat in the state of Victoria, where priest Gerald Ridsdale had sexually abused dozens of boys in various parishes between the 1950s and 1970s.
Cardinal Pell has been accused of being complicit in moving Ridsdale around the state, and of attempting to bribe Ridsdale's nephew into keeping quiet about his abuse.Cardinal Pell has been accused of being complicit in moving Ridsdale around the state, and of attempting to bribe Ridsdale's nephew into keeping quiet about his abuse.
Ridsdale, 81, is in jail for offences against child victims. Ridsdale, 81, was defrocked and is in jail for more than 140 sexual offences against child victims. He has been testifying at the inquiry.
Last Thursday the commission released a letter from Cardinal Pell saying he was "horrified" by the accounts given in Ballarat.Last Thursday the commission released a letter from Cardinal Pell saying he was "horrified" by the accounts given in Ballarat.
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse was formed in April 2013, following pressure from lawmakers amid police claims that the Roman Catholic Church had concealed evidence of paedophile priests.The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse was formed in April 2013, following pressure from lawmakers amid police claims that the Roman Catholic Church had concealed evidence of paedophile priests.
There were revelations that child abusers were being moved from place to place instead of being reported to and investigated by police for their alleged crimes.There were revelations that child abusers were being moved from place to place instead of being reported to and investigated by police for their alleged crimes.