Pell's Evidence Was 'Damage Control': Qc

Herald Sun
May 28, 2013

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/pells-evidence-was-damage-control-qc/story-fni0xqi4-1226651962864

CARDINAL George Pell's appearance at Victoria's child sex abuse inquiry was "a cynical exercise in damage control", a barrister and victims' advocate says.

Bryan Keon-Cohen QC says Cardinal Pell's statements at Monday's inquiry hearing lacked conviction and he tried to evade responsibility.

"My response to Cardinal Pell's evidence, being as fair as I can, is that it was to me a rather cynical exercise in damage control," Dr Keon-Cohen, president of community lobby group COIN (Commission of Inquiry Now), told ABC Radio in Melbourne.

"He offered a lot of words, he offered apologies, remorse, but to me it lacked conviction."

He said Cardinal Pell, who is a former Archbishop of Melbourne, followed the line used by Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart last week at the inquiry.