Cardinal Pell denies claim he attempted to bribe abuse victim
May 21, 2015
In testimony given to Australia’s Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, a man who was abused by his uncle, Father Gerald Ridsdale, testified that Cardinal George Pell offered him money to be silent—prompting a denial from the cardinal.
David Ridsdale, the nephew, testified that Cardinal Pell said, “I want to know what it will take to keep you quiet.”
Cardinal Pell “began to talk about my growing family and my need to take care of their needs,” he said. “He mentioned how I would soon have to buy a car or house for my family.”
The elder Ridsdale, now 81, was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2014. Cardinal Pell, now prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, served as Archbishop of Melbourne from 1996 to 2001 and as Archbishop of Sydney from 2001 to 2014.
“Like everyone who has been following the Royal Commission's hearings in Ballarat this week, I have been horrified once again by survivors' accounts of the abuse they have suffered,” Cardinal Pell said.
Cardinal Pell added:
I was and remain extremely sympathetic to David Ridsdale who because of his uncle suffered horrible abuse. I continue to regret the misunderstanding between us. At no time did I attempt to bribe David Ridsdale or his family or offer any financial inducements for him to be silent. 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. I have previously made a sworn denial of these allegations and I reiterate that denial.
I am committed to complete cooperation with the Royal Commission. I will address in full all matters it wishes to raise in any statement requested from me before I make any further comment.
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Further information:
- Cardinal George Pell denies claims he tried to bribe David Ridsdale to be silent over uncle's sexual abuse (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
- Full text of statement from Cardinal George Pell (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
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