| George Pell made recent trip to Ballarat, sparking calls for royal commission appearance |
Victims’ advocates have questioned why Cardinal George Pell could make it back to Ballarat recently but not appear at the child abuse royal commission.
Pell returned to his home town and visited his former school St Patrick’s College on 27 March.
Francis Sullivan, the chief executive of the Truth, Justice and Healing Council, said he did not know Pell was in Ballarat recently and it was obviously a private visit.
St Patrick’s College’s new headmaster, John Crowley, said Pell was a proud old collegian who visited the school to meet him and see changes since his last visit.
There have been calls for 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. He said: “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 Pell could not appear in person before the commission. “I think he needs to come and answer some questions,” she said.
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 would 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 Pell, on Monday told the commission they were prepared to be recalled as witnesses.
Church counsel said no survivor witnesses would be cross-examined
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