George Pell to Give Evidence to Child Abuse Royal Commission from Rome's Hotel Quirinale

ABC News
February 22, 2016

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-23/george-pell-royal-commission-evidence-hotel-quirinale-rome/7191906

PHOTO: Hotel Quirinale in Rome, where Cardinal George Pell will give evidence to the royal commission. (Hotel Quirinale)

Cardinal George Pell will give evidence to the child abuse royal commission via video link from the Hotel Quirinale in Rome from next Monday.

The four-star hotel is located in the heart of the Italian capital, near the Piazza Della Repubblica.

A group of survivors will fly to Italy to hear Cardinal Pell's evidence in person after a GoFundMe campaign raised funds for their trip.

The royal commission has called for people to register their interest to witness Cardinal Pell's evidence given in Rome, which will be video streamed to a public hearing in Sydney.

Australia's most high profile Catholic has hit back at criticism over his inability to return to Australia to appear in person before the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

The commission accepted a doctor's report that said he would risk heart failure if he flew to Australia to testify.

He has also written to Acting Victorian Police Minister Robin Scott this week asking for an inquiry into a "maliciously timed" leak concerning a police investigation into abuse allegations.

Victoria Police has referred the matter to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC).

Cardinal Pell's evidence will appear live on the royal commission's website from 8:00am (AEDT) on February 29.

A room in Ballarat Town Hall will also be available for the public to watch the webcast.

The hearing is expected to run for four hours per day, including a half-hour adjournment, for three to four days.