George Pell’s account of handling of abuse case contradicted

By Dan Box
Australian
March 17, 2014

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/george-pells-account-of-handling-of-abuse-case-contradicted/story-e6frg6nf-1226857120983

A SENIOR Catholic cleric has given a conflicting account to that of Cardinal George Pell about the church’s handling of a child sexual abuse case.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is currently investigating the case of John Ellis, a former altar boy who unsuccessfully attempted to sue the church after being abused by a Sydney priest.

During a private meeting in 2009, the commission heard, Cardinal Pell said he did not know Mr Ellis had previously offered to settle for a fraction of the roughly $1.5 million the church ultimately spent on the case.

An internal church file note of the meeting, tendered to the commission states: “The cardinal went on to indicate that he had no idea that Mr Ellis had sought an ex gratia payment of $100,000.”

The cardinal subsequently apologised to Mr Ellis for the way the litigation was handled, the commission has heard, saying it amounted to “legal abuse”.

Giving evidence this morning, the Archdiocese of Sydney’s former chancellor Brian Rayner said Cardinal Pell was aware of the $100,000 offer during 2004, and that the church had offered Mr Ellis up to $30,000 in response.

“The cardinal was aware of the request of Mr Ellis for the $100,000,” Monsignor Rayner said.

“You told him?” asked senior counsel assisting the commission, Gail Furness.

“Yes,” Monsignor Rayner replied.

The church’s offer of $30,000 was conditional on Mr Ellis signing a deed of release, including a commitment that he would not sue the church, the commission heard.

The hearing continues.