About 50 witnesses will be invited into a sexual harassment trial involving Pope Francis main advisor Cardinal George Pell in March.
The witnesses were presented to determine if there was sufficient evidence, so that the case that convulsed the Vatican's Chief Financial Officer could proceed.
This information was revealed in a trial held by the court in Melbourne, Friday (6/10/2017), as quoted by AFP.
The 76-year-old man was charged with multiple sexual offenses in the past.
With this case, Pell became the most senior Catholic cleric charged with sexual harassment, alleged to have taken place.
Details of the alleged case to Pell have not been made public, and only mentioned in connection with some of the complaints.
Pell appeared and returned to attend the Melbourne Magistrates Court for trial administrative matters.
The next March 5, has been set as the commencement date of the four-week commission.
The series of hearings will decide whether there is sufficient evidence from the prosecutor to have the case resumed in court.
Many of the details in this case are not publicly disclosed, due to legal reasons.
However, Judge Belinda Wallington said all witnesses were allowed except for five witnesses.
Thus, about 50 people could be summoned, including the former chorus boys of the day.
"It is still feasible to grant permission for the exploration of witnesses' remembrance of past events," Wallington said.
Pell's lawyer, Robert Richter issued a suggestion that the allegations filed for his client were impossible.
Moreover, some of the incidents mentioned occurred in the cathedral of Melbourne.
"We propose to show (proof) that what is alleged is not possible," Wallington said in response.
Pell has yet to file a plea. But on his first appearance in court last July, he instructed his lawyer to give an explanation.
On that occasion, Pell conveyed his attitude, that he was innocent of all the alleged cases.
"To avoid doubts and because of the magnitude of public interest, I may show that Cardinal Pell does not plead guilty to all charges," Richter said.
Pell, who is also a former archbishop of Sydney and Melbourne, is not required to attend the hearing today.
However, the highest Catholic cleric in Australia chose to perform.
Previously, he promised to defend himself, and cleared his name.
This was done after a two-year investigation to cause him to be sanctioned on 29 June.
