LAWYERS Accuse Pell of Meddling in Abuse Inquiry

7 News
November 22, 2012

http://au.news.yahoo.com/latest/a/-/latest/15463133/lawyers-accuse-pell-meddling-in-abuse-inquiry/

The Catholic Archbishop of Sydney has been accused of trying to do the job of the Victorian parliamentary inquiry into child abuse, as he seeks access to court material.

Cardinal George Pell has applied to the court for material about the case of a boy raped by Christian Brother Robert Best.

It comes after submissions to the parliamentary inquiry heard he was present when the boy detailed what had happened to him to another priest.

Cardinal Pell maintains he was overseas at the time the boy detailed the abuse.

On Friday, lawyers for Best's victim opposed the court releasing material about the case.

They argued it was the job of the inquiry to investigate the allegations relating to what Cardinal Pell knew and not his job.

But lawyers for the archbishop say he has a right to be proactive ahead of being called to the inquiry himself.

The judge is yet to decide whether to release the case material.

Cardinal Pell was also under fire at the inquiry, with the parents of two children abused by a priest saying he showed a for their plight.