Cardinal George Pell visited Ballarat before abuse commission hearings

The Australian
May 25, 2015

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/in-depth/cardinal-george-pell-visited-ballarat-before-abuse-commission-hearings/story-fngburq5-1227368875769

A photo of Cardinal George Pell walking through the wing named in his honour with headmaster John Crowley at St Patricks College in the April edition of the school magazine.

Victims’ advocates have questioned why Cardinal George Pell could make it back to Ballarat recently but not front up for the child abuse royal commission.

Cardinal Pell returned to his home town and visited his former school St Patrick’s College on March 27.

Truth Justice and Healing Council chief executive Francis Sullivan says he did not know Cardinal Pell was in Ballarat recently and it was obviously a private visit.

St Patrick’s College’s new headmaster, John Crowley, said Cardinal Pell was a proud Old Collegian who visited the school to meet him and view changes since his last visit.

There have been calls for Cardinal Pell to return from Rome to answer allegations about what he knew regarding widespread abuse by clergy in the Ballarat diocese.

Anthony Foster, whose daughters were raped by a Melbourne priest, said all clergy figures should be telling all they know. “We need some of the clergy who are still around that were in on those discussions at the time to come clean for our sake, for their sake, for the sake of the victims.”

His wife Christine questioned why Cardinal Pell could not appear in person before the commission.

“I think he needs to come and answer some questions,” she said.

Cardinal Pell has again rejected claims he tried to bribe one victim to keep quiet, ignored complaints, and was complicit in moving Australia’s worst pedophile priest, Gerald Ridsdale, to a different parish.

He has said he will fully address all matters in any statement the commission requests from him.

Lawyers for Timothy Green and David Ridsdale, who have made the major claims against Cardinal Pell, told the commission they were prepared to be recalled as witnesses.

Church counsel said no survivor witnesses would be cross-examined.