AUSTRALIA
The Guardian (UK)
Helen Davidson
theguardian.com, Monday 10 March 2014
The royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse has begun its eighth public hearing with a startling statement from Cardinal George Pell that he believes victims should be able to sue the church in Australia, and an indication from the church that mechanisms for this would be in place by the hearing’s end.
The public hearing, which began in Sydney on Monday, is the second chapter of the commission’s examination of the Catholic church, this time focusing on the response by the Sydney diocese and the church’s professional standards office (NSW/ACT) to the complaint of John Ellis.
Monday heard the opening statement from senior counsel assisting Gail Furness, and testimony from Ellis, the sole victim to take the stand during this hearing.
Furness outlined the case ahead, which is predicted to stretch over two weeks. Among her opening remarks, Furness read excerpts from a statement given to the royal commission by Pell, which said in hindsight the Ellis litigation had caused him some concern.
“Whatever position was taken by the lawyers during the litigation, or by lawyers or individuals within the archdiocese following the litigation, my own view is that the church in Australia should be able to be sued in cases of this kind,” wrote Pell.
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