Backdated Letter Part of Abuse Cover-Up

9 News
May 27, 2013

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/05/27/20/01/backdated-letter-part-of-abuse-cover-up

A letter accepting the resignation of a pedophile priest was backdated, contained no reference to abuse allegations and praised him for his "good deeds", an inquiry has heard.

Cardinal George Pell has admitted the letter written by former Melbourne archbishop Francis Little was evidence of a cover-up.

Victoria's parliamentary inquiry into child sex abuse heard that when pedophile priest Desmond Gannon was stood down in 1993 the reason nominated was "poor health".

The title of Pastor Emeritus was conferred on Fr Gannon, meaning he was no longer an active priest.

Inquiry committee member David O'Brien said the title also indicated he was a person of merit.

In 1995 Fr Gannon was jailed for 25 months for molesting an altar boy in the 1960s, and in 209 he received a suspended sentence after being found guilty of molesting boys at Victorian parishes between 1958 and 1976.

Mr O'Brien read from a letter written by Archbishop Little discussing the process, saying it would be good to thank Fr Gannon "for his very helpful contribution".

The letter was written on May 23, but backdated to May 7, 1993.

Mr O'Brien put it to Cardinal Pell that it was clear evidence of a cover-up in many ways.

"Yes I think you'd have to say that," Cardinal Pell said.

The inquiry also heard from an earlier letter written by Archbishop Little outlining instructions to backdate the letter.

Cardinal Pell, the current Sydney archbishop and former Melbourne archbishop, said he had not seen the letter.

"Let me say as we go along, I don't approve of these at all," Cardinal Pell said, adding this was the type of behaviour that prompted him to establish the Melbourne Response to handle abuse complaints.

"Our basic consideration is to ensure they don't offend again," Cardinal Pell said.

"A person who is taking their Catholic life, prayer, seriously, they're a lot less likely to abuse."