Australia
Cardinal George Pell’s lawyers to grill two abuse victims during royal commission
Herald Sun
() Victims of child sexual abuse look set to be grilled by lawyers for Cardinal George Pell in a bid to quash explosive allegations he was complicit in a widespread cover-up.
The Herald Sun can reveal lawyers for the Cardinal will recall at least two witnesses when the royal commission continues its probe into the Ballarat diocese.
The move comes despite a former commitment by the Catholic Church not to subject victims of child sexual abuse to gruelling cross-examination.
In May, a spokesman for Catholic Church’s Truth Justice and Healing Council said: “we have determined ... that it is not in the best interests of witnesses or anyone else that (victims) be cross-examined”.
“This is in line with the long held position (of all church parties) not to cross examine witnesses and that was always our intention.”
But at least one witness, David Ridsdale, is understood to have already received a subpoena to give evidence.
Ridsdale has testified that he phoned Cardinal Pell in 1993 to disclose his abuse at the hands of his uncle, notorious paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale.
“I told George that I had been abused by Gerald," Mr Ridsdale said. “His first reaction was — Oh, right”. There was no shock.
“His tone then became terse relatively quickly and I could sense anger in his voice ... I felt like I’d done something wrong.”
Mr Ridsdale said during their conversation Bishop Pell asked: “I want to know what it will take to keep you quiet.”
He said his reply was: ‘F---, you, George, and everything you stand for.”
Another witness told the commission that the then Father Pell had come close to walking in on him being abused at a Ballart presbytery.
The royal commission has also heard allegations that the Cardinal had refused to act after another victim warned him of widespread sexual abuse of young boys.
Cardinal Pell has publicly denied all the allegations.
Victim Stephen Woods said he was dismayed at the Church’s backflip.
“They’re desperate aren’t they? It smacks of utter desperation,” he said.
“Instead of being honest, instead of having some integrity, they just go down the lawyers, guns and money route.”
The Royal Commission will hold a public hearing into the response of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne to allegations of child sexual abuse from Monday.
The hearing regarding Catholic Church authorities in Ballarat is expected to commence about December 7.
The Herald Sun understands Cardinal Pell will return to Melbourne from Rome with his own legal and communications team to give his evidence around the middle of December.
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Cardinal George Pell’s lawyers to grill two abuse victims during royal commission
Herald Sun
The Herald Sun can reveal lawyers for the Cardinal will recall at least two witnesses when the royal commission continues its probe into the Ballarat diocese.
The move comes despite a former commitment by the Catholic Church not to subject victims of child sexual abuse to gruelling cross-examination.
In May, a spokesman for Catholic Church’s Truth Justice and Healing Council said: “we have determined ... that it is not in the best interests of witnesses or anyone else that (victims) be cross-examined”.
“This is in line with the long held position (of all church parties) not to cross examine witnesses and that was always our intention.”
But at least one witness, David Ridsdale, is understood to have already received a subpoena to give evidence.
Ridsdale has testified that he phoned Cardinal Pell in 1993 to disclose his abuse at the hands of his uncle, notorious paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale.
“I told George that I had been abused by Gerald," Mr Ridsdale said. “His first reaction was — Oh, right”. There was no shock.
“His tone then became terse relatively quickly and I could sense anger in his voice ... I felt like I’d done something wrong.”
Mr Ridsdale said during their conversation Bishop Pell asked: “I want to know what it will take to keep you quiet.”
He said his reply was: ‘F---, you, George, and everything you stand for.”
Another witness told the commission that the then Father Pell had come close to walking in on him being abused at a Ballart presbytery.
The royal commission has also heard allegations that the Cardinal had refused to act after another victim warned him of widespread sexual abuse of young boys.
Cardinal Pell has publicly denied all the allegations.
Victim Stephen Woods said he was dismayed at the Church’s backflip.
“They’re desperate aren’t they? It smacks of utter desperation,” he said.
“Instead of being honest, instead of having some integrity, they just go down the lawyers, guns and money route.”
The Royal Commission will hold a public hearing into the response of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne to allegations of child sexual abuse from Monday.
The hearing regarding Catholic Church authorities in Ballarat is expected to commence about December 7.
The Herald Sun understands Cardinal Pell will return to Melbourne from Rome with his own legal and communications team to give his evidence around the middle of December.
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