Cardinal Pell, who was interviewed by detectives from the Sano Taskforce in Rome in October, also said he believed that "fair minded Australians" would see the motion as "point-scoring".

While the SANO investigation remains a separate matter, Cardinal Pell also hit back for the first time at those who solely target him, saying they potentially undermine the justice sought by the Royal Commission and other investigations into church failings.

“The suggestion that Cardinal Pell should be accountable for all the wrong doings of Church personnel throughout Australia over many decades is not only unjust and completely fanciful but also acts to shield those in the Church who should be called to account for their failures,” the statement read.

The statement, released on Wednesday, said the Greens were well aware "of the cardinal's decisive actions to address the evils of abuse and the changes he has implemented in the church over 20 years ago".

"Their anti-religion agenda is notorious and most fair minded Australians would see this motion as pathetic point-scoring. Cardinal Pell has consistently co-operated with the royal commission and the Victorian Police," a spokesman for the cardinal wrote from Rome.

Greens Senator Rachel Siewert Senator Siewert said she was not concerned that the cardinal was upset with the move - but instead was focusing her energy on the thousands of victims of abuse who wanted Cardinal Pell to return to assist with the police investigation. 

"Cardinal Pell is the only one who seems to think this is a partisan political issue. It is time for Cardinal Pell to come home."

Victoria Police confirmed this week a brief of evidence against Cardinal Pell regarding sexual assault allegations that occurred in Ballarat  in the 1970’s had been returned to the Office of Public Prosecutions.  Cardinal Pell vehemently denies the allegations that are being investigated.

There is no suggestion Cardinal Pell is guilty of the allegations, only that they are being investigated.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

 The Senate has called for Cardinal George Pell to return to Australia to assist the police investigation into sexual assault allegations levelled at him.

The Greens motion, agreed to by the upper house on Wednesday, calls on Cardinal Pell to assist police and prosecutors.

It followed a brief of evidence compiled by detectives investigating the serious allegations being sent to prosecutors for review for the second time.

"Cardinal Pell has done a very good job at avoiding a return to Australia - it is time he came back,” Greens senator Rachel Siewert said.

Cardinal Pell has vehemently denied the allegations against him.  

At this stage, there is no request from Victoria Police for him to return to Australia.

It comes after the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse released data revealing 4444 people made complaints to Australian Catholic authorities between 1980 and February 2015.

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