Cardinal George Pell, has been interviewed by Victoria Police detectives over child abuse allegations.
In a statement, Victoria Police confirmed "three members of Victoria Police travelled to Rome last week where Cardinal George Pell voluntarily participated in an interview regarding allegations of sexual assault".
"As a result of the interview further investigations are continuing. We are not prepared to comment further at this time," the statement said.
Police are investigating multiple allegations of sexual assault alleged to have occurred in Ballarat East between 1976 and 1980, and East Melbourne between 1996 and 2001.
The allegations include claims that Cardinal Pell groped children's genitals while they swam at a Ballarat’s Eurkea public pool.
Another man also made a complaint to Taskforce SANO about Cardinal Pell's alleged behaviour while undressed at the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club in the 1980s.
One of Cardinal Pell’s alleged victims Lyndon Monument praised the work of Taskforce SANO detectives
Ballarat clergy abuse survivor Andrew Collins said while victims were pleased Victoria have interviewed Cardinal Pell, they understood there was a legal process that must be followed.
“Survivors understand that this is just a part of process and that we must not jump to any conclusions until the investigation is complete,” Mr Collins said.
“This is a positive step for Pell’s alleged victims but we must remember that Pell is innocent in the eyes of the law at this stage.”
Cardinal Pell has maintained his innocence and released a robust rebuttal.
In a statement, Cardinal Pell's office said he "repeats his previous rejection of all and every allegation of sexual abuse".
