Victims Want Cardinal Pell Testimony

Sky News
May 21, 2015

http://www.skynews.com.au/news/national/2015/05/21/victims-want-cardinal-pell-testimony.html

Cardinal George Pell's denials of wrongdoing at the child abuse royal commission are a defence by media release - not testimony - a survivors group says.

Nicky Davis, leader of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, says Cardinal Pell must appear before the commission to answer claims against him.

Survivors told the commission's Ballarat hearings Cardinal Pell ignored their reports about clergy sex abuse.

'It is vastly inappropriate to respond to sworn evidence by courageous survivors with a media statement that callously dismisses their experience,' Ms Davis said on Thursday.

'If Cardinal Pell is at all genuine in his claims to recognise the seriousness of the crime of sexual violation of defenceless children, he would voluntarily return to Australia to give evidence under oath to the royal commission.'

Cardinal Pell denied covering up priests' crimes or offering bribes to victims to remain silent, as was alleged at the commission.

'I am committed to complete co-operation with the royal commission. I will address in full all matters it wishes to raise in any statement requested from me before I make any further comment,' he said in a statement on Wednesday.

Cardinal George Pell will co-operate with any requests made by the Victorian royal commission into child sex abuse, according to a close friend.

Amid calls for Cardinal Pell to front the hearings currently being held in Ballarat, Greg Craven, from the Truth, Justice and Healing Council, says he expects his friend to be compliant.

There have been claims Cardinal Pell had been involved in moving a known pedophile, ignoring a victim's complaint and bribery.

'He has a long record of co-operation and compliance with investigations similar to this,' Mr Craven told 3AW radio on Thursday.

'He'll cooperate with the royal commission.'

While it is not known whether Cardinal Pell will be called as a witness, Mr Craven said the royal commission had a few options, including asking him for a statement or to appear as a witness via video link.

In a statement on Wednesday, Cardinal Pell acknowledged the accusations, but described the claims as 'false and misleading'.