AUSTRALIA
Daily Mail
By LEESA SMITH FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA
‘I continue to regret the misunderstanding between us’: Australia’s highest-ranking Catholic clergyman George Pell denies claims he tried to bribe the nephew of rampant paedophile priest to keep quiet
Cardinal George Pell refutes allegations that he attempted to bribe a victim of pedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale.
David Ridsdale, the nephew of Australia’s worst pedophile priest, said at a royal commission hearing into child sex abuse on Wednesday that he told Cardinal Pell in 1993 about the abuse at the hands of his uncle.
However, Cardinal Pell, who is a family friend, released a statement later that evening, denying that such a conversation ever took place and expresses his regret for the misunderstanding between the pair.
Mr Ridsdale told the inquiry that Cardinal Pell asked him: ‘I want to know what it will take to keep you quiet.’
Mr Ridsdale said Cardinal Pell then started talking about his growing family and that he may soon have to buy a car or house.
He said his response was ‘f*** you George and everything you stand for’.
Cardinal Pell said the matter required an immediate response as it was important to correct the record, particularly given ‘the false and misleading headlines.’
‘At no time did I attempt to bribe David Ridsdale or his family or offer any financial inducements for him to be silent,’ the statement said.
‘At the time of our discussion the police were already aware of allegations against Gerald Ridsdale and were investigating. Then, and now, I supported these police investigations.’
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.