BishopAccountability.org

Child abuse Royal Commission: Crowdfunding bid for victims to see George Pell testify

By Shannon Deery
Herald Sun
February 16, 2016

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/hundreds-fund-victims-to-see-pell-in-flesh/news-story/e6c1ade75a86286ccacc82d3169fb881


[with video]

CROWDFUNDING has raised more than $55,000 to send victims of sexual abuse to Rome to watch George Pell give evidence to the child abuse royal commission.

But the Royal Commision into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has refused to comment on whether it will force Cardinal Pell to testify in public.

Members of the Ballarat and District Child Abuse Survivors group have called for the commission to ensure the Cardinal is forced to testify publicly, and want to be in Rome to witness it.

Donors have already contributed more than $22,800 just a day after a Go Fund Me site was set up by TV personalities Gorgi Coghlan and Meshel Laurie.

In just 24 hours, more than 340 people had donated to the fund, which is hoped will raise $55,000 to send 15 people to Rome.

The money will cover flights, accommodation and food for the three days Cardinal Pell is expected to give evidence.

If Cardinal Pell’s evidence is heard in private, the money will be directed to a healing centre for survivors in Ballarat.

Pell was excused from personally attending the Ballart hearing because of ill health.

He will appear via videolink instead.

Questions were raised about the 74-year-old’s sudden decline in health, with sceptics accusing him of trying to avoid coming face to face with victims.

The commission will sit in Sydney to hear Cardinal Pell’s evidence but will webcast the hearings live on its website.

A room at Ballarat Town Hall will also be made available for members of the community who wanted to attend the hearings.

Cardinal Pell has been recalled, for the third time, to testify about his knowledge of sexual abuse within the Ballarat and Melbourne dioceses.

He will be probed over claims he turned a blind eye to abuse and was involved in decisions to shuffle notorious paedophile Gerald Ridsdale between parishes.

He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Cardinal Pell, the third most powerful figure in the global Catholic Church, is responsible for the Vatican’s finances.

The commission has not responded to requests for comment.




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