AUSTRALIA
7 News
AFP
An Australian inquiry into child sex abuse has agreed that victims may be present when Cardinal George Pell gives evidence from Rome, as Catholic bishops called for him to be treated fairly.
Vatican finance chief Pell, who claims he is the subject of a smear campaign, has said he is too unwell to travel to Australia and will give evidence via video-link from Rome next week.
The Royal Commission, which is looking into how Catholic authorities in Melbourne and the Victorian city of Ballarat responded to claims of abuse, said it had received requests from survivors to be present for Pell’s questioning.
“The Commission considers that to be a reasonable request,” chair Justice Peter McClellan said.
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