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Cardinal George Pell

Jun 8, 1941: Born in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. Educated at Loreto Convent and St Patrick’s College in Ballarat

1960: Begins training for priesthood at Corpus Christi College in Werribee – suburb of Melbourne

1963: Continues studies at Urbaniana University in Rome

1966: Ordained priest at Vatican

1971: Earns doctorate in church history at Oxford. Returns to Australia, taking post as
assistant priest in Ballarat

1987: Auxiliary bishop of Melbourne

1996: Appointed Archbishop of Melbourne. Announces protocol for handling complaints of child sexual abuse in Melbourne archdiocese

2001: Appointed Archbishop of Sydney – most senior position in Australian Catholic church

2003: Appointed cardinal by Pope John Paul II

2014: Becomes chief of Vatican finances – new position created by Pope Francis in wake of scandals at Vatican Bank

2016: In evidence to Australian government inquiry, Pell admits to “catastrophic failures” by Church in relation to child sexual abuse

Jun 29, 2017: Charged with historical child sex offences in Australia. Pell vehemently denies any wrongdoing

Jul 18: Due to appear before Melbourne magistrates’ court


Sources: Wire agencies 

Picture: Associated Press 

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