'Can't see many heart strings': Cardinal George Pell's evidence met coolly in Ballarat

By Danny Tran
ABC News
February 29, 2016

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-29/pell-evidence-received-coolly-in-ballarat/7208322

Child sex abuse survivor Tim Lane believed Cardinal George Pell seemed arrogant while giving evidence.

In Cardinal George Pell's home town of Ballarat in Western Victoria, the senior Catholic cleric's evidence was coolly received.

More than 50 people gathered in the town hall to watch Cardinal Pell concede the Catholic Church had made mistakes.

"The Church has, in many places, certainly in Australia, has mucked things up, has let people down," Cardinal Pell said.

"I'm not here to defend the indefensible."

Regarding convicted paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale, who preyed on dozens of children in Ballarat and across Western Victoria, Cardinal Pell told the royal commission the situation was handled disastrously.

"The way he was dealt with was a catastrophe. A catastrophe for the victims and a catastrophe for the church," Cardinal Pell said.

"If effective action had been taken earlier, an enormous amount of suffering would have been avoided."

But the Cardinal's evidence, which was projected onto three separate screens in the council building, was met with derision from some audience members.

Muttering and laughter broke out as the Cardinal told the inquiry he did not have perfect recall and could not remember some details.

Outside, child sex abuse survivor Tim Lane said expectations were not high.

"You can still see plenty of holes in it. He's never going to come out and say what's supposed to be I don't think," Mr Lane said.

"He seems to be very arrogant for me. A bit intermittent. But I can't see too many heart strings there."

Cardinal Pell's evidence continues tomorrow.