Vatican finance chief is charged with 'multiple' sex offences

Vatican finance chief is charged with 'multiple' sex offences Cardinal who is third highest figure in Catholic Church is ordered to leave Rome and appear in Australian court over historic claims The Pope's finance chief and third most senior cardinal in the Catholic Church has been charged with historic sex offences. In revelations that have rocked the Vatican, Australian Cardinal George Pell has been ordered to to face a court in Melbourne in three weeks. There is no extradition agreement between the Vatican and Australia, but Cardinal Pell, 76, has already vowed to return to fight the charges. He is the highest-ranking official to be charged in the sex abuse scandal that has dogged the Catholic Church for years. Pope Francis is yet to comment on the charges. The Catholic Church worldwide has in recent years faced a damaging series of allegations relating to sex abuse by priests, and claims that these cases were covered up. Cardinal Pell has been charged with with 'historic sex offences' stemming from 'multiple complainants' and is due to face Melbourne Magistrates court on July 18. He has already signalled that he plans to return to Australia to 'clear his name', as long as the trip is approved by 'his doctors'. The conditional response has caused many to question whether the priest will cite poor health as a reason not to fly back home - as he did last year when faced with questioning by a royal commission Cardinal Pell was summonsed from Rome on Thursday after Victoria police presented the charges to his Melbourne legal team and the court. In a statement, he took aim at leaks from the police investigation in his home state of Victoria. He said: 'There have been leaks to the media. There has been relentless character assassination. A relentless character assassination. 'And for more than a month, claims that a decision on whether to lay charges was imminent. 'I'm looking forward, finally, to having my day in court. 'I'm innocent of these charges. They are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me.' Victoria police confirmed the charges during a press conference on Thursday. 'Cardinal Pell is facing multiple charges in respect of historic sexual offences. There are multiple complainants relating to those charges,' Victoria state police deputy commissioner Shane Patton said. 'Cardinal Pell has been treated the same as anyone else in this investigation. Advice was received and sought from the office of public prosecutions, however ultimately, the choice to charge Cardinal Pell was one that was made by Victoria Police.' Victoria police would not specify the charges and said they would not comment on the allegations again. Cardinal Pell responded to the charges after a couple of hours. 'Although it is still in the early hours of the morning in Rome, Cardinal George Pell has been informed of the decision and action of Victoria Police,' the statement said. 'He has again strenuously denied all allegations. 'Cardinal Pell will return to Australia, as soon as possible, to clear his name following advice and approval by his doctors who will also advise on his travel arrangements. 'He said he is looking forward to his day in court and will defend the charges vigorously.'