SYDNEY -- Australian police were Wednesday deciding whether to charge Vatican finance chief George Pell over historic sex abuse allegations after receiving final advice from prosecutors. Cardinal Pell, Australia's most senior Catholic cleric, was interviewed in Rome by Australian detectives last October over the assault claims, which he has strenuously denied. The police brief of evidence on the matter was handed to the Director of Public Prosecutions earlier this year to assess whether it was sufficient for charges to be laid. As with any investigation it will be a decision for Victoria Police as to whether charges are laid." "Each and every allegation of abuse and cover up against him is false," said a statement from his Rome office on Monday.

Source: The China Post May 17, 2017 00:45 UTC