AUSTRALIA
9 News
AAP
Cardinal George Pell has responded to calls for him to return to Australia to give evidence to the child abuse royal commission by noting hearing arrangements are a matter for the inquiry.
The commission has agreed to allow Cardinal Pell to give evidence from Rome via an audiovisual link on health grounds, but abuse survivors groups believe he should come home and appear in person.
“It is ultimately a matter for the Royal Commission to determine the precise arrangements for the provision of evidence by the Cardinal in Rome,” his office said in a statement on Thursday.
“The cardinal will continue to co-operate with whatever arrangements the royal commission determines.”
This week a crowdfunding effort raised more than $160,000 to help Ballarat clergy abuse victims travel to Rome for the cardinal’s testimony due to be given on February 29.
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