It's not looking good for the Cardinal. The two middle-aged men claiming to be victims of abuse seem genuine, and have nothing to gain at their stage of life. The story of an apparently disinterested member of the public is damning, if true.

However, the ABC has outrageously and unforgivabley started one of its trials by media and the excitable public before anyone has been charged.

Once again,our 'national broadcaster' has spat on the innocent until found guilty rule. The the right thing to do in any case of this kind is to start reporting it when someone has been charged.

I have since heard that the DPP has since returned the brief to police, which usually means that there is not enough evidence to make a case. And, it is the DPP which makes the decision to prosecute, not the police, the religion-hating comrades or their official mouthpiece, the ABC.

Many of you will be foaming at the mouth to hear that Fred Niall gave Pell a good 'reference' on radio.

This came at a good time for the Anglicans, they seem to have dropped out of the news.
However all allegations should be persued by the police.

I agree with what you've said TTBN, I'm afraid the media love to indict, conduct a Trial, and convict people, without the benefit of being appraised of all the facts, or observing the Rules of Evidence. In other words, the innocent often have their character totally besmirched for all time, based purely upon an allegation.

In my opinion, all investigations should be made confidential. Inquiries made by ICAC, and other investigative bodies should first be held in camera. Time enough to identify an individual after they've been charged, not before.

Whether Cardinal PELL has any case to answer, I wouldn't know? Nor do many within the media. It's up to police to establish the sufficiency of the facts in order for the DPP to lay a charge(s). Until then, his name should be kept confidential.

Is Mise,

They should be pursued, but if the evidence doesn't satisfy the DPP, they won't go ahead with it. Pell says he is willing to cooperate, but he will not fly, so guess who would have to pay for Australian police to go to him. Mind you, If I was wrongly accused of such an awful crime, and couldn't fly, I would find some way to get back to clear my name. Ships are an option. Of course he hasn't been charged; just had his reputation ruined by the ABC. The Vic police commissioner says "anything is possible", but only if it doesn't cost too much. And, there is more chance of ending up in jail for offences against property than against people in our court system. I doubt that we will see justice done.

OSW,

Glad we are still talking. Similarly,the media should wait for the RC into youth detenton in NT rather than encouraging the public to decide right from wrong without proper investigation by qualified people.