Abuse royal commission: George Pell’s ‘right to fight falsehoods’

The Australian
November 24, 2015

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/in-depth/abuse-royal-commission-george-pells-right-to-fight-falsehoods/story-fngburq5-1227620154821

John Ferguson Victorian Political Editor Melbourne

Tessa Akerman Reporter Melbourne

George Pell’s lawyers will cross-examine victims of sex abuse to protect the cardinal’s reputation because of the royal commission’s insistence on investigating unsubstantiated claims of wrongdoing, including attempted bribery.

Senior Catholic Church figures have been debating for months how Cardinal Pell should respond to the Royal Commission into ­Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse after the church ­initially said through its legal team victims would not be interrogated.

The Australian understands support for Cardinal Pell defending his position has widened — even among his internal critics — because of the potential for ­adverse findings or commentary flowing from his years serving the scandal-plagued Diocese of ­Ballarat in western Victoria. Cardinal Pell has for decades rejected claims he not only knew about rampant offending, but also was complicit in covering it up.

Lawyers for the church have previously told the commission they did not “generally’’ intend to cross-examine witnesses. The church’s Truth, Justice and Healing Council also has stated publicly, as recently as last week: “We don’t cross-examine survivor witnesses.’’

However, The Australian understands that deep within the TJHC there has been growing support for Cardinal Pell to be ­allowed to have his lawyers question claims of bribery and cover-ups. The support is based on his right to have the ­allegations tested, but on the understanding the legal team will do its best to prevent re-traumatising victims.