BishopAccountability.org
 
 

Cardinal George Pell Uninterested in Ridsdale Sex Claims, Royal Commission Hears

By Rachel Browne
Sydney Morning Herald
February 29, 2016

http://www.smh.com.au/national/cardinal-george-pell-uninterested-in-ridsdale-sex-claims-royal-commission-hears-20160229-gn6vyi.html

Complaints about a paedophile priest were "common knowledge" in the Catholic community and among two senior clergy members but Cardinal George Pell did not have "much interest" in them, he told a royal commission.

In his second day of questioning about what he knew of sexual offending by priests when he was in Victoria, Cardinal Pell's admission drew an audible gasp from those listening to his testimony.

Giving his evidence via video-link from Rome, Australia's most senior Catholic agreed that some people knew there had been complaints about Gerald Ridsdale in the 1970s, a former priest now serving a prison sentence for multiple child sex offences.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse heard a police investigation into Ridsdale found his alleged offending at Victorian parishes was "common knowledge" among the Catholic congregation.

Cardinal Pell has repeatedly denied knowledge of Ridsdale's offending in the 1970s.

"I didn't know whether it was common knowledge or whether it wasn't," he said. "It's a sad story and it wasn't of much interest to me."

When asked by counsel assisting the royal commission Gail Furness SC why Ridsdale's case was not of interest he replied: "The suffering, of course, was real and I very much regret that but I had no reason to turn my mind to the extent of the evil that Ridsdale had perpetrated."

The commission heard the then Bishop of Ballarat Ronald Mulkearns? was aware of allegations against Ridsdale, as was another senior member of the diocese, in the 1970s.

Cardinal Pell said it was a "gross deception" that they did not inform him of the claims in his then role as a consulter to the Diocese of Ballarat.

He told the commission that the first time Ridsdale's offences came to his attention was when he was jailed over his crimes in 1993.

When asked by commission chairman Justice Peter McClellan? why Bishop Mulkearns, now receiving palliative care at a Ballarat nursing home, deceived him, Cardinal Pell told the commission: "He might not have wanted me to share in his culpability."

"If we were to come to the view that you did know (about Ridsdale), you would be culpable too," Justice McClellan said.

Cardinal Pell replied: "That's correct."

The hearing continues.

For help or information call Lifeline 13 11 14; MensLine 1300 789 978 or the Royal Commission 1800 099 340.

 

 

 

 

 




.

 
 

Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.