NSW: Pell will not celebrate public mass during inquiry

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NSW: Pell will not celebrate public mass during inquiry

SYDNEY, Aug 22 AAP - Archbishop George Pell will not celebrate public mass for theextent of his leave following allegations he molested a young boy.

A spokeswoman for the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney said expressions of support forDr Pell, who stood aside as Archbishop while the Church investigated the sex abuse claims,had flooded in.

A man in his 50s has alleged Dr Pell molested him when he was a 12-year-old boy attendinga holiday camp at Smith's Beach on Victoria's Phillip Island in the 1960s.

The Church has set in motion an inquiry into the claims headed by former VictorianSupreme Court judge Alec Southwell, QC.

The Sydney Archdiocese said today Dr Pell would not say public mass on Sunday or forthe duration of the inquiry, which was likely to take weeks.

"Dr Pell will not be saying a public mass while he's on leave," she said.

The spokeswoman said support for the archbishop since the allegations were made publichad been overwhelming.

"We've been inundated with letters, phone calls, emails and faxes - the support forthe archbishop has been unanimous right across society and not just from the Catholicfaithful."

Co-chair of the National Committee for Professional Standards (NCPS), Brother MichaelHill, said the terms of reference for the inquiry were still being determined.

Br Hill said it was hoped they would be completed by next Tuesday.

He said evidence to Mr Southwell, QC, was likely to be some weeks away.

AAP rcg/arb/mg/sb

KEYWORD: PELL MASS