Health issues force Cardinal Pell to cancel speaking appearance in US

January 28, 2016

Cardinal George Pell, who announced in December that health problems prevented him from traveling to Australia to testify before a commission investigating sexual abuse, has also cancelled a speaking date in January in the United States.

The Australian cardinal, who now serves as prefect of the Vatican’s Secretariat for the Economy, was scheduled to appear in Miami this month. But citing a “worsening” heart condition, he said that doctors had advised him against making the trip from Rome.

In December, Cardinal Pell had said that his health would not allow a return to Australian to appear before a royal commission investigating sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. His announcement had met with some skepticism among his critics.

Cardinal Pell offered to testify before the Australian commission by video link, but that offer was declined, with commission leaders saying that they would reschedule his latest appearance. (The cardinal has already testified before the commission twice.) His hosts in Miami accepted a similar offer.

 

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Further information:

• Cardinal George Pell's appearance at royal commission in doubt due to poor health (The Age)
• Heart condition forces Cardinal Pell to postpone testimony for Australian sex-abuse inquiry (CWN, 12/11/15)