One of George Pell's friends, Australian Catholic University vice-chancellor Greg Craven, has hit out at sections of the media and Victoria Police after the cardinal's criminal convictions were overturned in the High Court on Tuesday.
Professor Craven, who wrote a character reference for Cardinal Pell, accused the ABC and police of "polluting" the legal atmosphere around the cardinal's Victorian trial.
A jury in Victoria's County Court found Cardinal Pell guilty of sexually abusing two schoolboys in the 1990s.
That decision was upheld by the state's Court of Appeal, but overturned in a 7-0 High Court verdict on Tuesday.
"There is a heavy burden on guilt that lies on those people who allowed a case that could not succeed to go forward, and the inevitable damage it would have done to the complainant," Professor Craven said.
"The most concerted possible attempt has been made to destroy [Cardinal Pell's] reputation permanently."
In a statement, an ABC spokesperson said: "We stand by our reporters and our stories."
Sexual assault support services:
- 1800 Respect national helpline: 1800 737 732
- Lifeline (24 hour crisis line): 131 114
- Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
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