AUSTRALIA
Sydney Morning Herald
February 18, 2016
Marissa Calligeros
Online reporter
Cardinal George Pell has responded to attacks on his refusal to travel to Australia to face the child abuse royal commission in person, including a provocative song penned by comedian Tim Minchin.
In a strongly-worded statement, Cardinal Pell said he considered himself an ally of abuse victims and was willing to meet with them, listen to them, and express his ongoing support.
“The past few days has seen a great deal of incorrect information relating to Cardinal George Pell and his upcoming royal commission appearance,” Cardinal Pell’s office said in a statement on Thursday.
“The Cardinal is anxious to present the facts without further delays.
“Cardinal Pell has always helped victims, listened to them and considered himself their ally. As an archbishop for almost 20 years, he has led from the front to put an end to cover ups, to protect vulnerable people and to try to bring justice to victims.”
The Cardinal has claimed he is too ill to travel to Australia to give evidence to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
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