Cardinal George Pell, Australia's highest-ranking Catholic official, has faced court for the first time to answer charges of historical sex offences, with his lawyer saying he will plead not guilty.
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Cardinal Pell was not required to enter a plea, but his high-profile defence barrister Robert Richter, QC, told the packed Melbourne courtroom his client would plead not guilty.
"For the avoidance of doubt and because of the interest, I might indicate that Cardinal Pell pleads not guilty to all charges and will maintain the presumed innocence that he has," he said.
Cardinal Pell did not say a word during the hearing.
The 76-year-old has taken leave from his position as Vatican treasurer to return to Australia to fight historical sexual offence charges involving multiple complainants. Details of the charges are yet to be revealed.
The cardinal, who is understood to be the most senior Catholic official to ever face charges of sexual offences, sat in the front row of the court's public gallery, behind his legal team while the timetable of his case was discussed.
The hearing lasted just six minutes, before Magistrate Duncan Reynolds adjourned the case to October 6.
The cardinal will not have to formally enter a plea unless a magistrate decides there is enough evidence for him to stand trial.
"It's only if the accused is committed to trial that he will be called upon to enter a formal plea," Mr Reynolds said.
Prosecutor Andrew Tinney, SC, told the court it was important reporters, and social media users, "abide by the rules" when reporting the case.
Mr Tinney said prosecutors were due to pass on the brief of evidence to Cardinal Pell's legal team by September 8, but would likely do so by next week.
As the cardinal left the courtroom, four people in the foyer called out: "God bless you, Cardinal Pell."
He emerged from the courthouse at 10.10am to chaotic scenes, as he was swarmed by the assembled media pack. Police were forced to close part of Lonsdale Street as the cardinal, flanked by a dozen officers, made his way through the throng of reporters and camera crews.
Supporters and protesters watched on, with some shouting at the cardinal as he left.
One woman repeatedly called out, "Shame on you George Pell," while another yelled: "Fair trial for George Pell".
Another woman shouted: "How does it feel?"
The cardinal did not respond to the comments and showed no emotion as he left the court building.
He was pursued by photographers and camera crews along Lonsdale Street, before he disappeared into his lawyers' offices.
Among the handful of supporters for Cardinal Pell was Karen Baxter, who held a sign that read "thanks for helping our family".
She said she was not "here to say someone's innocent or someone's guilty", but wanted Cardinal Pell to be given the benefit of the doubt and not be subjected to trial by media.
"I knew him as kid, when he was ordained as a bishop. We had no problem, he's always been nice to me," she said.
"He's always been polite and friendly, he's always been very methodical in his thinking."
She said the cardinal had ensured her adopted children could attend a Catholic school.
"I have adopted children, they all go to a Catholic school," she said.
"My kids wouldn't have got in if it wasn't for him personally, he made some of the Catholic schools affordable. My kids are benefiting from the effort he put in when he was bishop here."
A man standing next to Ms Baxter recited prayers as he held rosary beads.
Another supporter, Beverley Hastie, said the cardinal had a lot of support in the Catholic community.
"He came to all the dinners and debutante balls," she said. "He's a really nice good guy, it's very sad that it's happened to him."
The cardinal was not obliged to attend court on Wednesday, but said last month he was looking forward to his day in court and flew back to Australia a fortnight later.
Reporters, including a large crew from US broadcaster CNN, were assembled outside the court building well before 6am on Wednesday. The media pack steadily grew until the doors opened at 8.30am.
Several protesters also arrived early, with one woman holding a framed painting of the Virgin Mary.
The court long maintained it would take a business-as-usual approach to the high-profile case. Although he was surrounded by police when he arrived, the cardinal was screened by court security, like everyone else.
The courtroom was opened at 9.15am.
The small courtroom's 37 seats were quickly filled by media and members of the public. With only standing room left, media sketch artists had to sit in the dock.
Court staff arranged for a second court to be opened to accommodate extra onlookers, with a video link between the two courtrooms.
The filing hearing marks the first stage of what is expected to be a lengthy legal process.
EARLIER
Cardinal George Pell has arrived at a Melbourne court to make his first appearance as the highest-ranking Catholic official to be charged with sexual offences.
One of the most powerful people in the Catholic Church, Cardinal Pell made the short trip from his lawyers' offices on Lonsdale Street to Melbourne Magistrates Court just before 9am on Tuesday.
The 76-year-old has taken leave from his position as Vatican treasurer to return to Australia to fight charges relating to historical sexual offences involving multiple complainants. Details of the charges are yet to be revealed.
Cardinal Pell was shepherded into court by a group of police officers, through a crush of camera operators, reporters and photographers from across the country and the world.
With his high-profile barrister Robert Richter, QC, and defence lawyer Paul Galbally at his side, the cardinal did not respond to reporters who shouted questions at him.
Three female supporters clapped as Cardinal Pell appeared, one even cheering. Her cheer was met with a glance by the cardinal.
Protester Brian Cherrie stood outside court holding a sign with the words "duty of care" and "schools, clubs, religions must keep children safe".
"It is a big day but it's just the start of a long process. I believe everyone's entitled to their day in court," he said.
"He may well be saying he's looking forward to his day in court but so are the survivors."
Otherwise, the usually bustling courthouse entrance remained silent with all eyes on Cardinal Pell.
The court has long maintained it would take a business-as-usual approach to the high-profile case. Although he was surrounded by police, the cardinal was screened by court security, like everyone else.
He was not required to remove his coat, but the cardinal was scanned with a metal detector. The cardinal and his entourage then proceeded quickly through the foyer and out of public view.
Magistrate Duncan Reynolds will preside over the administrative hearing. Mr Reynolds is an experienced magistrate who has overseen high-profile cases previously. In May he heard the case of Gregory Davies, who pleaded guilty to the 1984 murder of six-year-old Kylie Maybury.
The courtroom was opened at 9.15am and was quickly filled by media and members of the public. About 40 people took seats and another 10 people stood, before staff declared the courtroom full.
Court staff arranged for a second court to be opened to accommodate extra onlookers, with a video link between the two courtrooms.
The filing hearing marks the first stage of what is expected to be a lengthy legal process. It is an administrative procedure to set the next dates for the court process; generally filing hearings take about five minutes.
Journalists have been barred from tweeting, or live blogging from the courtroom.
Reporters and camera crews began assembling outside Melbourne Magistrates Court well before 6am on Wednesday.
International media also gathered outside the court, including a large crew from US news broadcaster CNN, as security guards stood watch.
Protesters arrived soon after, with one holding a large sign.
The cardinal flew back to Australia from the Vatican about a fortnight ago with the intention of appearing in court. He has been based in Sydney while awaiting his court date.
Cardinal Pell, who has retained leading Victorian criminal barrister, Robert Richter QC, has denied the alleged offending and at a press conference in Rome last month said he was looking forward to his day in court.
"I am innocent of these charges, they are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me," he said.
"All along, I have been completely consistent and clear in my total rejection of these allegations. News of these charges strengthens my resolve. And court proceedings now offer me an opportunity to clear my name and then return here back to Rome to work."
