Australian leaders back archbishop

Dr Pell says the accusations are part of a smear campaign

Senior members of the Australian Government have rallied behind the Archbishop of Sydney, Dr George Pell, after he was accused of child sex abuse.

Prime Minister John Howard gave his personal support for the prominent cleric, saying he believed Dr Pell's denial.

I believe completely George Pell's denial

Prime Minister John Howard

Dr Pell announced on Tuesday that he would be temporarily stepping aside from his job while an investigation was carried out into claims that he sexually abused a 12-year-old boy when a trainee priest in 1961.

On Wednesday, Catholic leaders from the diocese of Sydney met and chose the auxiliary bishop of Sydney, David Cremin, to stand in for Dr Pell in the interim, officials said.

Victim details

Local newspapers have been reporting details of the alleged victim, saying he was a 52-year-old man with a long criminal record.

The man is reported to have claimed that he and a friend were molested at a church seaside camp outside of Melbourne.

Mr Howard telephoned the cleric

The newspapers did not reveal the alleged victim's name and the friend is said to have since died.

Dr Pell has emphatically denied the allegations, describing them as a "smear of the most vindictive kind".

Mr Howard, who telephoned Dr Pell within hours of the allegations being made public, said that he firmly believed that denial.

"I believe completely George Pell's denial," he said.

"He has done the right thing standing aside. The church has done the right thing in establishing an inquiry," Mr Howard later told a Sydney radio station.

Damage done

Other government ministers have also thrown their support behind Dr Pell.

Cabinet Minister Tony Abbott said that the allegations seemed out of character for Dr Pell.

It undermines the credibility of the church, and certainly it makes it much more difficult to preach the good news of Jesus Christ

Brisbane Catholic Archbishop John Bathersby

"George Pell has given a lifetime of service to the church and to the general community," he said.

But Brisbane Catholic Archbishop John Bathersby said even if proved false the allegations still damage the church.

"It undermines the credibility of the church, and certainly it makes it much more difficult to preach the good news of Jesus Christ. I think it's an enormous cross to carry at the present time," he said.

Worldwide, the Catholic Church has been rocked by a series of abuse allegations in recent months and Australia has been no exception.

Reports of sexual abuse by clergy in Australia have been emerging for more than a decade and millions of dollars have been paid out to victims in compensation.