PELL a "Coward" over Refusal to Front Royal Commission: Victims

9 News
May 21, 2015

http://www.9news.com.au/national/2015/05/21/19/35/child-sex-abuse-survivors-label-pell-a-coward-over-his-refusal-to-front-royal-commission

Survivors of child sex abuse at the hands of the Catholic Church have labelled Cardinal George Pell a coward and called on him to face the Royal Commission.

Stephen Woods and Andrew Collins were among a group of victims to give more harrowing evidence to the commission today.

For the two men, a written statement of repeated denials from the Cardinal weren't nearly enough.

Stephen Woods broke down as he recounted the abuse he suffered. (9NEWS)

Andrew Collins said Pell was a coward for issuing a written statement. (9NEWS)

"He should have been here and he should be held accountable," Mr Woods told reporters outside court.

"It was a coward's way out to make a statement in the media that can't be cross examined," Mr Collins said.

Mr Woods was preyed upon by three convicted pedophile priests, including Gerald Ridsdale.

Cardinal Pell insisted Ridsdale's victim was not offered a bribe. (9NEWS)

Yesterday Ridsdale's nephew recounted his own abuse at the hands of his uncle, and said when he told Cardinal Pell in 1993 he was offered a bribe to stay silent.

Last night, Cardinal Pell responded to the claims with a 605 word denial.

He said he stood by previous statements given to the Victorian inquiry in 2013.

Cardinal Pell's 605 word denial has been criticised by victims of abuse. (9NEWS)

Cardinal Pell insisted he never offered a bribe to an abuse victim and claimed to have no recollection of being told about abuse by a pedophile priest.

He remained adamant he had nothing to do with transferring another abusive member of the clergy.

Today lawyer Professor Greg Craven defended his friend George Pell.

Gerald Ridsdale's own nephew was abused by the priest and claims Pell told him the accusations were rubbish. (9NEWS)

"It's not a case of calling a victim a liar, it's a case of the Cardinal telling the truth as he understands it," he said.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott, a practising Catholic, refused to weigh-in on the call for the cardinal to face the Royal Commission.

"My understanding is his written statement has dealt with all those issues," he said.

Lawyers for Cardinal Pell have said they would not cross-examine survivor witnesses out of respect, but today his legal team said if the Cardinal was requested to make a formal statement to the Royal Commission to address the allegations of a cover-up, one or more witnesses may be recalled for questioning.