Cardinal George Pell labels reports casting doubt on legitimacy of his illness 'misleading and mischievous'

ABC News
December 13, 2015

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Catholic Cardinal George Pell, who is based in Rome, was to appear before the commission next week.

Catholic Cardinal George Pell has attacked reports casting doubt on the legitimacy on his illness, which has stopped him appearing at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Cardinal Pell was to appear at the inquiry on Wednesday but his lawyer told the hearing on Friday Cardinal Pell was unwell and could not travel to give evidence in person.

He released a statement Sunday afternoon, in which he said the commission had reviewed and accepted the medical evidence tendered, and said reports referring to an "alleged" illness were misleading and mischievous.

"The royal commission reviewed this medical evidence and accepted it as grounds for deferring Cardinal Pell's attendance until February," said the statement, attributed to an unnamed spokesperson for Cardinal Pell.

"The commission also required this personal information to be treated as confidential."

Cardinal Pell said he was still working and could give evidence by video link, but was too ill for a long-haul flight from Rome to Australia.

He said the commission had asked — not ordered — him to appear in February, and he denied refusing to attend or face victims.

"Claims that Cardinal Pell is refusing to attend the royal commission or to face victims of sexual abuse are false and ridiculous," the statement said.

"Cardinal Pell's whole career is a story of stepping up to meet challenges, not avoiding them.

"Above all, he wants to do everything that he can to assist survivors in finding justice and healing, and understands the importance of his evidence for them."