2017/03: Should the former archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell, return to Australia to answer questions?
Introduction to the media issue
Video clip at right:On February 27, 2017, Katie Silver published a news report dealing with the most recent findings of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse and with a motion passed by the Senate to have Cardinal Pell return to Australia. If you cannot see this clip, it will be because video is blocked by your network. To view the clip, access from home or from a public library, or from another network which allows viewing of video clips.
What they said
'The message to victims and their families has been one of arrogance and disdain'
Judy Courtin, a lawyer representing victims of institutional sexual abuse commenting on Cardinal Pell giving evidence via video link
'Like every other Catholic priest or bishop, I comply with the law of the land and will cooperate fully'
Cardinal Pell stating his readiness to cooperate with the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
The issue at a glance
On February 8, 2017, a Greens motion calling on Cardinal George Pell to return to Australia to assist Victorian Police in investigating his alleged criminal conduct passed the Senate.
Cardinal Pell subsequently rejected the request in both a public statement and a letter forwarded to the Senate. He accused the Senate of ignoring his history of cooperation with authorities and of denying him due process before the law.
The exchange is the most recent in a long-running dispute between critics and defenders of the Catholic Church regarding the adequacy of its response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse established in 2013.
A particular source of contention has been Cardinal Pell's inability, on health grounds, to attend the Commission in person since December 2015. Cardinal Pell is currently living in Vatican City, where he is prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy to the Vatican. His 2016 testimony to the Commission was given by video link. (The Cardinal's testimony in August 2014 had also been given by video link, though not on grounds of ill health.)
Popular ill feeling has become stronger since July 2016 when the ABC's 7.30 Report revealed that Victoria Police was investigating allegations of child molestation made against Cardinal Pell. Investigators have gone to Rome to question Cardinal Pell.