Australian abuse survivors prepare for Rome

Australian abuse survivors prepare for Rome

Arrangements are being made for Australian child sex abuse survivors to go to Rome after the chair of the country’s royal commission into child sex abuse has said it is not unreasonable that they should want to witness Cardinal George Pell give evidence in person.

The cardinal, who has already given evidence to the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry and twice before the Royal Commission, but is unable on medical grounds to travel to Australia, has accepted that “it is ultimately a matter for the Royal Commission to determine the precise arrangements for the provision of evidence by the cardinal in Rome” and will “continue to co-operate with whatever arrangements the Royal Commission determines”, according to a statement.

“As Cardinal Pell has done after earlier hearings,” the statement from his office continued, “he is prepared to meet with and listen to victims and express his ongoing support.”