George Pell Puts Abuse at Arm's Length

By Jared Owens
The Australian
August 24, 2012

www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/george-pell-puts-abuse-at-arms-length/story-e6frg6nf-1226457009110

[with pdf]

AUSTRALIA'S most senior Catholic, Sydney Archbishop George Pell, has authorised an extraordinary 4000-word statement publicly distancing himself from responsibility for the church's mishandling of sexual abuse investigations around the country.

The 15-page document, titled Sexual Abuse: The Response of the Archdiocese of Sydney, also claims the archdiocese does not "cap" its assistance to abuse victims or shield alleged perpetrators and church bodies from civil lawsuits.

Barrister Bryan Keon-Cohen QC last night accused the church statement of employing "very careful language that only tells half the story".

The statement acknowledges "deep concern" about church sexual abuse, and admits that "officials have sometimes failed to deal appropriately with those who have been abused, and with priests and church workers accused of abuse".