Cardinal Pell Will Co-operate: Friend

news.com.au
May 21, 2015

http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/cardinal-pell-will-co-operate-friend/story-e6frfku9-1227362437404

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".

Church lawyers have told the commission Cardinal Pell will willingly make a statement to the commission if requested to do so.

They have also provided a copy of his overnight denials of victims' claims to the hearing this week.