BishopAccountability.org

More questions for Cardinal Pell

9 News
June 1, 2015

http://www.9news.com.au/national/2015/06/01/15/04/more-questions-for-cardinal-pell

A victims' advocate who once worked with George Pell says the cardinal needs to respond to claims that he protected known pedophile priests across Victoria, not just in Ballarat.

In Good Faith Foundation chief executive Helen Last says numerous pedophile priests across the state have been protected by the Catholic Church over the years, some while Cardinal Pell held top-ranking positions.

Ms Last worked in pastoral care with victims abused by Catholic priests in the Melbourne diocese at a time Cardinal Pell was the Archbishop of Melbourne.

Her job was to set up a response unit for victims that not only provided a caring environment but worked with police and therapists.

Ms Last said she never felt like her office had Cardinal Pell's full support and claims he shut them down.

"It's not only Ballarat that's the problem, it's the Melbourne archdiocese, Healesville, Sunbury, it's Doveton," Ms Last told 3AW radio on Monday.

"There were six pedophiles in a row at Doveton. I think he's got things to answer for there, as well after he was in Ballarat."

Ms Last said she was dealing with at least 300 cases before her office was shut down in 1997, and believes the police should take more action.

Cardinal Pell has been under fire since allegations that he ignored complaints by victims once again resurfaced at the Royal Commission into child abuse in Ballarat that concluded last week.

Comment was being sought from Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne's Melbourne Response unit.

 




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