Pell Admits Cover-Up of Abuse in Victoria

The Tablet UK
May 28, 2013

http://www.thetablet.co.uk/latest-news/5342


Australia's most senior cleric, Cardinal George Pell, has admitted clergy covered up claims of sexual abuse by priests but said he personally never covered up offences.

Speaking yesterday at an inquiry by Victoria's parliament into the abuse of children by religious and non-government bodies in the state, he said he was "absolutely sorry" for the abuse committed by clerics against minors.

The cardinal said abuse had largely escaped the view of church officials who didn't know what a "mess" they were presiding over. Under questioning he agreed that the fear of damaging the reputation of the Church led to a cover-up.

"Many in the Church did not understand just what damage was being done to the victims. We understand that better now," he added.

According to a church report at least 620 minors in Victoria suffered abuse from members of the clergy in the past 80 years.

Pell was made an auxiliary bishop in Melbourne, the Victorian capital, in 1987. He became archbishop from 1996 to 2001, when he became Archbishop of Sydney. He was made a cardinal two years later.