International media to descend on Rome for Cardinal Pell hearing at Royal Commission

By Victoria Craw
news.com.au
February 28, 2016

http://tinyurl.com/jz2gl72

Abuse survivor victims and supporters have arrive in Rome ahead of Cardinal George Pell giving evidence to the Royal Commission into child sex abuse. Photo by David Mirzoeff

Abuse survivor victims: David Ridsdale, and Andrew Collins, speak to the press at Rome Airport. Photo by David Mirzoeff

Paul Levey on the eve of the face off with Cardinal Pell in Rome. Photo by David Mirzoeff

The Hotel Quirinale where George Pell will testify to a royal commission in Sydney and Ballarat. Photo by Lloyd Jones

The Boston Globe, New York Times, BBC as well as European and Australian outlets are expected to show at Rome’s opulent Hotel Quirinale for the Cardinal’s third appearance at the Commission to investigate exactly what he knew about the actions of paedophile priests operating within the Catholic Church in Melbourne.

It comes as US film Spotlight, covering a group of reporters who exposed abuses in the church, vies for up to six Oscars on Sunday evening in Los Angeles.

But despite Pell’s long-awaited testimony, many locals in the Italian capital remain oblivious to the emotionally charged events. On Saturday the hotel was full of Scottish rugby fans in town for the six-nations game with many unaware of what was happening or who Cardinal Pell was.

However one local chef, who wanted to be known only as Avi, said it was no surprise Italians didn’t want to speak publicly about the child sex abuse revealed at the heart of the Catholic Church.

“They follow behind closed doors,” he told News Corp Australia. “It’s embarrassing that it happened in Italy.”

“It’s not only about the priesthood … it’s about the power at the top.”

Cardinal Pell’s testimony comes following comments from Pope Francis earlier this month who said “the best thing” bishop who were found to be moving paedophile priest between different parishes could do is resign.

Over the weekend up to 20 sexual abuse survivors and their supporter arrived in the Italian capital after a crowdfunded campaign from Australia.

Survivor Paul Levey said he would give Cardinal Pell a handwritten letter during the public hearing. Another victim, Andrew Collins, said being in the historic city would be overwhelming for those who suffered abuse.

“Growing up Catholic we’re going to walk there, see all these sites and we’ll be in awe,” he said.

“Then we’ll see all the crucifixes and collars and we’ll be triggered. So we’ll have the highs and the lows, and that’s before we’ve even seen Cardinal Pell.”