AUSTRALIA
Herald Sun

VICTIMS of child sexual abuse look set to be grilled by lawyers for Cardinal George Pell in a bid to quash explosive allegations he was complicit in a widespread cover-up.

The Herald Sun can reveal lawyers for the Cardinal will recall at least two witnesses when the royal commission continues its probe into the Ballarat diocese.

The move comes despite a former commitment by the Catholic Church not to subject victims of child sexual abuse to gruelling cross-examination.

In May, a spokesman for Catholic Church’s Truth Justice and Healing Council said: “we have determined … that it is not in the best interests of witnesses or anyone else that (victims) be cross-examined”.

“This is in line with the long held position (of all church parties) not to cross examine witnesses and that was always our intention.”