A First: Cardinal Pell Appears in Australian Court on Sexual Charges
July 26, 2017 by admin
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The unspecified charges of sexual offenses drew global attention after the police in the Australian state of Victoria said last month that the cardinal had been charged on summons and was required to appear in the magistrates’ court here.
Shortly afterward, the Vatican announced that Francis had granted a leave of absence to Cardinal Pell, who vowed to fight the charges, calling them false and the result of “relentless character assassination.”
“The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me,” he said at a news conference in Rome last month.
Cardinal Pell returned to his native Australia on July 10, and he was met by the Australian Federal Police at Sydney’s international airport. He has kept a low profile since arriving.
The start of Cardinal Pell’s court battle in Melbourne revisits a troubled past for his hometown, Ballarat, about 75 miles west of Melbourne, which experts say was among the towns with the worst cases of abuse by church clerics.
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A 2013 state government inquiry exposed accounts of child abuse and accusations of a cover-up in the Ballarat Diocese over many generations, and around that same time, the Royal Commission Into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse was created. The commission heard accusations against several priests in Ballarat, some of whom have been jailed for abuse.
Cardinal Pell testified before the commission about the handling of complaints against the church, but neither inquiry heard complaints against the cardinal. Cardinal Pell served as a priest in Ballarat in the 1970s and ’80s. In 1996, he became the archbishop of Melbourne, and later he was installed as Sydney’s archbishop.
Andrew Collins, 48, who said he was abused in Ballarat in the 1970s and ’80s by four men, three of them Catholic clergy members, said the court case against Cardinal Pell was big news for sexual abuse victims.
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“Ten years ago, I doubt that this would have happened,” Mr. Collins said, “that an official from the Vatican or someone with the rank as high as cardinal would ever have ended up in court.”
The case will test the credibility of Francis’ efforts to foster greater accountability after abuse scandals that have shaken the church around the world.
In recent decades, more than 50 Roman Catholic bishops worldwide have been accused of sexually abusing children, according to BishopAccountability.org, an advocacy group in Massachusetts that documents sexual abuse in the church. Few, however, have faced criminal charges.
It is rare for a cardinal, a prince of the church, to be accused of sexual abuse.
“There must be perpetrators out there who would be looking at this thinking if a cardinal can be charged, anyone can be,” Mr. Collins said.
“It gives survivors faith in the system again.”
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Report: Suns, Timberwolves Top Kyrie Irving Trade Destinations, Heat a Long Shot
July 26, 2017 by admin
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The Kyrie Irving trade sweepstakes has just begun, but the Miami Herald‘s Barry Jackson reported Tuesday that the Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves are “particularly strong candidates” to land the four-time All-Star.
Jackson noted the Miami Heat view themselves as “something of a long shot” to land Irving and that they do “not have considerable optimism about being able to strike a deal.”
On Friday, ESPN.com’s Chris Haynes reported Irving had named the Heat, Timberwolves, New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs as his ideal landing spots.
According to ESPN.com’s Zach Lowe, the Cleveland Cavaliers have prioritized landing “a blue-chip young player” as the centerpiece of a package for Irving.
Scan the Minnesota and Phoenix rosters, and it’s not hard to find those kinds of talents.
The Timberwolves have a burgeoning stud in Andrew Wiggins who could be more expendable with Jimmy Butler in the fold, while the Suns have the ability to dangle point guard Eric Bledsoe—who is under team control for two more seasons.
However, ESPN.com’s Ramona Shelburne reported Tuesday the Suns have “reassured” No. 4 overall pick Josh Jackson they will not include him in a trade for Irving, which could hinder their ability to piece together an appealing group of assets.
But as Lowe noted, “Cleveland and Phoenix might be able to work a simple two-team deal” if the Suns change their mind and become amenable to trading Jackson.
The story differs for the Heat, who aren’t replete with young blue-chippers.
Justise Winslow would be their best bet in that regard, but considering he was limited to 18 games last season because of injuries and is a career 25.8 percent shooter from three, it’s unlikely the Cavs would be interested.
Miami is also hamstrung when it comes to trading draft picks since it owes its 2018 and 2021 first-round selections to Phoenix. Teams cannot deal consecutive first-round picks, according to the terms of the Stepien Rule.