Catholics advertise for contributions to Cardinal George Pell’s legal fees

Cardinal George Pell recently had the most serious sexual offence charges against him dropped, but is now due to face court over other, less serious, charges.

And as his legal fees continue to mount up, the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney has posted an article asking his supporters to contribute to his funds.

The Archdiocese’ news journal, the Catholic Weekly, posted an article recently with bank details for people to transfer money directly through to his legal team. They insist the Catholic Church is not subsidising Pell’s legal fees, and confirmed they did not set up the fund themselves.

“When Cardinal Pell took leave from his role as Prefect of the Vatican Secretariat for the Economy to voluntarily return to Australia nearly 12 months ago to fight the charges, many supporters wanted to contribute to his legal costs,” the ad reads.

“While the Archdiocese assists with some living expenses and accommodation, as it would for any of its bishops or priests, it is not responsible for the Cardinal’s legal bills arising from these matters.

“An independent fund was established where people could contribute to his costs. The Archdiocese of Sydney did not establish the fund nor is it managing the fund.”

Read more: George Pell won’t stand trial on most serious sex charges: Reports

Underneath, there are clear bank account details for people to transfer the money through to a Melbourne legal firm. While the legal firm itself is believed to be managing the fund, it’s unclear who set it up in the first place.

According to multiple recent reports, Pell’s legal costs are believed to be mounting up to as much as tens of thousands of dollars every day court sits.

A lawyer representing victims of child sexual abuse, Dr Judy Courtin, told The Guardian that while Pell was entitled to a defence team and to seek funding, it’s unclear why the  archdiocese is promoting the fund or getting involved at all.

“Pell, and other defendants with adequate financial backing, can not only afford the star-studded cast that is Pell’s legal team, but it is every defendant’s legal right to do so. But what of the victims of crime and their role in the criminal trial process? Are their justice needs being met?” She said.

The Archdiocese of Sydney told the publication it “recognises the rights of the accused, any accused person, to defend themselves”. Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Pell said the Vatican had not contributed to this fund.

Pell returned from the Vatican in Rome in March for a month of hearings at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court designed to decide whether there was sufficient evidence for the case against him to go to trial. The ABC reported recently that Magistrate Belinda Wallington considered her decision for a fortnight on whether Pell should face trial.

Announcing her decision, Wallington discharged the most serious allegations against Pell, the Herald Sun newspaper reported, which amounted to about half of the total charges against him. But the ABC reported that he would go to trial on other historical sexual offence charges. The Australian reported that he would face four charges in total.

Australia’s most-senior Catholic cleric has pleaded not guilty to the existing charges he’s facing, according to the ABC. He has vehemently denied the claims, calling them “utterly false”. 

Starts at 60 has contacted the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney for comment.

Have you been following the case?