(ANSA) - Vatican City, November 13 - The Vatican on Wednesday
reiterated its support for the victims of sexual abuse by
members of the clergy after the High Court of Australia granted
Cardinal George Pell leave to challenge his child-abuse
convictions.
"While reiterating its trust in the Australian justice
system, the Holy See acknowledges the decision of Australia's
High Court to accept Card. George Pell's request of appeal,
aware that the Cardinal has always maintained his innocence,"
the Vatican said in a statement.
"At this time, the Holy See reaffirms once again its
closeness to those who have suffered because of sexual abuse on
the part of members of the clergy".
The 78-year-old former prefect of the Vatican Secretariat for
the Economy is the most senior Catholic cleric in the world to
be convicted of child sex abuse.
He is serving a six-year term for molesting two 13-year-old
choirboys in Melbourne in the 1990s.
Pell: Vatican 'close' to abuse victims
Senior clergyman given OK to challenge conviction in Australia