Former Catholic Church official contradicts ...

By Antonette Collins
7 News
March 18, 2014

http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/22043363/former-catholic-church-official-contradicts-cardinal-george-pell-on-ex-gratia-offer-to-victim-john-ellis/

Archbishop of Sydney Cardinal George Pell was informed about an ex-gratia offer made to child abuse victim John Ellis, despite saying in a statement that he was not aware of it, a public inquiry has heard.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is examining allegations made by Mr Ellis, who was abused by Father Aidan Duggan in Sydney between 1974 and 1979 and failed in his attempt to sue the Catholic Church in 2007.

In a statement presented to the inquiry earlier this month, Cardinal Pell said he was not aware of ex-gratia offers made to Mr Ellis.

But Monsignor Brian Rayner, who represented the Sydney Archdiocese and Archbishop Pell in Towards Healing matters in 2004, has contradicted that statement.

Under cross-examination, Monsignor Rayner maintained the Archbishop was informed.

"I spoke to the Archbishop on every amount of money that was being offered to any particular victim," he said.

Despite saying he did not have authority, Monsignor Rayner offered Mr Ellis a $5,000 increase on the $25,000 payment before gaining the approval of Catholic Church Insurance.

In a lively exchange with the Church's counsel Peter Gray SC, Monsignor Rayner maintained that he had informed Archbishop Pell of the ex-gratia offers made to Mr Ellis.

"My evidence is correct and I've seen the contrary thoughts of the Archbishop and the Archbishop also has occasions when his recollection of events is not clearly accurate," he said.

He also said the Archbishop was very involved in Mr Ellis' case.

A lawyer who was engaged by the Catholic Church to defend civil action brought by Mr Ellis says he advised the Church against appointing a spiritual adviser for the man.

Mr Ellis' reparations through the Church's Towards Healing program included pastoral elements such as the appointment of a spiritual adviser.

Lawyer Paul McCann told the hearing he advised the Church not to go ahead with appointing an adviser for Mr Ellis.

Mr McCann: "I did. I said that it may give mixed messages because there was this litigation on foot. On reflection I think, properly worded, we could have accommodated that."

Lawyer Maria Gerace: "In retrospect do you agree it's a little mean to Mr Ellis?"

Mr McCann: "A little mean, yes."

Mr Ellis had initially made his complaint to the Church's Towards Healing program in 2003 during which time a report commissioned by the Church found that his allegations were true.

Mr McCann told the hearing that despite the report, he was instructed to vigorously defend the allegation, which he said was now debatable.

"My instructions were to defeat this claim and move it back to Towards Healing, they were my instructions," he said.