AUSTRALIA
Brisbane Times

February 20, 2016

Jim Boyle

Cardinal George Pell is in a unique position to assist a better understanding of how the Catholic Church leadership in Ballarat, Melbourne, Sydney and Rome responded to allegations and instances of clerical sexual abuse of children and vulnerable adults.

Let’s look at some topics where complete, honest and forthright answers in his pending testimony to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse would be welcome.

How much did Father Pell know of any possible abuses by Gerald Ridsdale​ in Swan Hill when Pell followed him in that parish?

How much did he know of abusers in St Alipius​’ parish when he shared a house with Ridsdale, and of the many other abusers in Ballarat including Day, Claffey​, Coffey, Farrell, Fitzgerald, Morey, Parker, Ryan, Sheahan​, Toomey, Ring, and Sproules?

How much did he know, what did he do, and…