Ballarat shows support for abuse survivors

ROME
9 News

Cardinal George Pell’s royal commission testimony in Rome could prompt more victims of pedophile priests to come forward, says Ballarat Deputy Mayor Belinda Coates.

She’s in Rome to support 15 victims who have flown there to hear Cardinal Pell’s response to questioning over what he knew of sex abuse by clergy when he served in Ballarat and Melbourne.

The Ballarat-born cleric, who is now in charge of the Vatican’s finances, has asked to give evidence by video link because of a heart condition he says prevents him from travelling to Australia.

His testimony to the child sex abuse royal commission will be given from a conference room in the elegant Hotel Quirinale over three to four days from Monday (Australia time).

Ms Coates told AAP in Rome on Saturday night it was important the city and people of Ballarat showed they supported sex abuse survivors.

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