Abuse victims will be present for Cardinal Pell's testimony

February 22, 2016

A royal commission investigating sex-abuse complaints in Australia has given permission for victims' representatives to be present when Cardinal George Pell gives testimony.

Cardinal Pell, who was unable to travel to Australia to appear before the commission for a third time, will give testimony from Rome by a video link. The site for that testimony has not yet been announced.

Representatives of sex-abuse victims had raised money, by a crowd-funding campaign, to travel to Rome to hear the cardinal's testimony, and sought permission to be present. Justice Peter McClelland, who chairs the royal commission, said: "The commission considers that to be a reasonable request."

Cardinal Pell had already agreed to meet with victims. 

 

 

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Further information:

• Child Sex Abuse Victims to Hear Cardinal's Testimony in Rome (ABC)
• Cardinal Pell agrees to new meeting with abuse victims (CWN, 2/18)