Pell under increasing pressure to return

AUSTRALIA
SBS

Cardinal George Pell is facing fresh demands to return to Australia to front the child abuse royal commission.

Peter Saunders, who was hand-picked by the Pope six months ago to be the Catholic Church’s commissioner for the protection of children, says Cardinal Pell has a moral obligation to face the commission.

Child protection advocate Hetty Johnston has echoed the call, saying the church must order the cardinal home to give evidence, even if it is only to clear his name.

Cardinal Pell, incensed over Mr Saunders’ allegations about his conduct in an interview with the Nine Network’s 60 Minutes, has issued a statement saying he is seeking legal advice over what he calls false and misleading claims.

“The Cardinal is left no alternative but to consult with his legal advisers,” a statement issued on behalf of Cardinal Pell said.

Cardinal Pell has repeatedly denied claims he tried to bribe an abuse victim to keep quiet and he was dismissive of and dealt heartlessly with victims and their families.

But Mr Saunders told 60 Minutes the cardinal’s position in the church had become untenable “because he now has a catalogue of denials”.

“Given the position of George Pell as a cardinal of the church and a position of huge authority within the Vatican, I think he is a massive, massive thorn in the side of Pope Francis’s papacy if he’s allowed to remain,” he said.

The statement issued on behalf of Cardinal Pell said he had always taken a strong stand against child sex abuse and had put in place processes to ensure complaints could be brought forward and independently investigated.

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