Church clears Archbishop of Sydney of sex abuse charges

Sydney's Catholic archbishop George Pell returned to work this morning after being cleared last night of charges of child abuse.

He said that he had forgiven his accuser. "After a little interval of time I was able to pray for him, I continue to do so and I bear him no ill will." The hearing was held in private and details of the case have not been released, but the investigating commissioner, Justice Alec Southwell, said in his report that the lack of material evidence, combined with the claimed unreliability of the complainant and the 40-year delay in making the accusation left Dr Pell in the clear.

The accusations related to a series of alleged incidents at a Catholic youth camp on Philip island in Victoria in 1961.

The complainant said that a man called "Big George" had engaged in wrestling matches with boys and forced his hands down their trousers.

The complainant's lawyer, Peter Ward, said his client was happy with the result. "He wants closure, he's had his opportunity, he's had a fair and equitable hearing and he will now just let it go. He's delighted with the finding, he feels vindicated," he said.

Dr Pell is a leading conservative in the church and was vilified for his refusal to administer communion to gays and lesbians. In a church noted for its flat-footed dealing with the press, he is notably media-savvy and employs a public relations firm.

He was involved in another controversy earlier this year with allegations that he had tried to buy the silence of people abused by the clergy with church funds. He denies this and says that the money was paid as compensation.

The complaint against Dr Pell was first lodged in August. The day after the inquiry was announced, stories were leaked to Melbourne and Sydney newspapers accusing the complainant of being a petty criminal and drug addict.