AUSTRALIA
The Guardian
Australian Associated Press
Tuesday 15 December 2015
A Catholic priest has denied making up key parts of his evidence to the child abuse royal commission to “save” his friend Cardinal George Pell.
Melbourne priest Father John Walshe said he spoke to Pell after Pell’s contentious 1993 telephone conversation with abuse victim David Ridsdale, who alleges he was asked by Pell what it would take to keep him quiet.
Walshe previously gave evidence to the commission that Pell appeared concerned for David Ridsdale after the phone call.
Walshe has been accused of having no memory of key information, after counsel assisting the commission Angus Stewart SC dissected discrepancies between his initial recollection, what he told Pell’s lawyers and his final evidence.
Stewart said: “Father, I put to you that you fabricated these aspects of your statement to save your good friend Cardinal Pell, isn’t that right?”
Walshe replied: “I absolutely deny that”.
Stewart: “You fabricated these parts of your statement to assist your good friend George Pell, isn’t that right?”
Walshe said no.
Ridsdale, a victim and nephew of paedophile priest Gerald Francis Ridsdale, has accused Pell of trying to bribe him by saying: “I want to know what it will take to keep you quiet”.
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