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Cardinal Pell admits he did not act on abuse claim | Cardinal Pell admits he did not act on abuse claim |
(35 minutes later) | |
Vatican treasurer Cardinal George Pell has admitted he did not act after a boy told him about a paedophile priest. | Vatican treasurer Cardinal George Pell has admitted he did not act after a boy told him about a paedophile priest. |
The cardinal told an Australian Royal Commission into child abuse that a student at St Patrick's College in Ballarat said Brother Edward Dowlan was "misbehaving with boys" in 1974. | The cardinal told an Australian Royal Commission into child abuse that a student at St Patrick's College in Ballarat said Brother Edward Dowlan was "misbehaving with boys" in 1974. |
He said it was "casually mentioned" and the boy did not ask him to act. | He said it was "casually mentioned" and the boy did not ask him to act. |
Dowlan, who has since changed his name to Ted Bales, was jailed last year for abusing boys in the 1970s and '80s. | Dowlan, who has since changed his name to Ted Bales, was jailed last year for abusing boys in the 1970s and '80s. |
The many sins of 'disturbed' priest Peter Searson | The many sins of 'disturbed' priest Peter Searson |
Cardinal Pell is giving evidence from Rome to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse. | Cardinal Pell is giving evidence from Rome to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse. |
He was excused from flying back to Australia due to a heart condition. | He was excused from flying back to Australia due to a heart condition. |
A group of abuse survivors and supporters have flown to Rome to face Australia's most senior Catholic as he testifies. | A group of abuse survivors and supporters have flown to Rome to face Australia's most senior Catholic as he testifies. |
'Disastrous coincidence' | 'Disastrous coincidence' |
Peter Blenkiron was abused by Brother Dowlan and spoke shortly after the cardinal admitted he "should have done more" about the paedophile priest. | Peter Blenkiron was abused by Brother Dowlan and spoke shortly after the cardinal admitted he "should have done more" about the paedophile priest. |
"That's me in 1973 six months before I went to St Patrick's," Mr Blenkiron said, pointing to a photograph on his T-shirt. | "That's me in 1973 six months before I went to St Patrick's," Mr Blenkiron said, pointing to a photograph on his T-shirt. |
"If action would've been taken that little boy wouldn't have gone through what he went thought." | "If action would've been taken that little boy wouldn't have gone through what he went thought." |
Pell said it was a "disastrous coincidence" that five paedophiles came to be at the same school and parish in Ballarat in the 1970s. | Pell said it was a "disastrous coincidence" that five paedophiles came to be at the same school and parish in Ballarat in the 1970s. |
His words struck a nerve with abuse survivor Stephen Wood, who has previously said he was bashed and molested starting from age 11. | |
"Coincidence my foot, it was clearly systemic," he said. | "Coincidence my foot, it was clearly systemic," he said. |
Cardinal Pell also denied claims that he tried to bribe the nephew of notorious paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale. | Cardinal Pell also denied claims that he tried to bribe the nephew of notorious paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale. |
David Ridsdale, who was abused by his uncle, has alleged that the cardinal offered him a bribe to "keep quiet". | David Ridsdale, who was abused by his uncle, has alleged that the cardinal offered him a bribe to "keep quiet". |
The inquiry heard David Ridsdale did not initially want to get the police involved because his grandmother would find out about his uncle's actions. | The inquiry heard David Ridsdale did not initially want to get the police involved because his grandmother would find out about his uncle's actions. |
'Good chance' of meeting Pope | 'Good chance' of meeting Pope |
On the eve of Cardinal Pell's final day of testimony, David Ridsale said he was hopeful the group's request to meet with the Pope would be approved. | On the eve of Cardinal Pell's final day of testimony, David Ridsale said he was hopeful the group's request to meet with the Pope would be approved. |
"Most likely we will meet with Cardinal Pell and we have a good chance of a Papal meeting on Friday," he said. | "Most likely we will meet with Cardinal Pell and we have a good chance of a Papal meeting on Friday," he said. |
"We want an understanding and an acknowledgment this is a global systemic problem." | "We want an understanding and an acknowledgment this is a global systemic problem." |
Survivors told reporters that Cardinal Pell's office had removed some of the conditions he had set for holding the meetings. | Survivors told reporters that Cardinal Pell's office had removed some of the conditions he had set for holding the meetings. |
Cardinal Pell released a statement on Wednesday where he offered to meet victims in small groups, without lawyers or media present. | Cardinal Pell released a statement on Wednesday where he offered to meet victims in small groups, without lawyers or media present. |
He also said he would be "happy to assist with requests to meet Pope Francis", but warned he had to "rely on the officials responsible for considering these requests". | He also said he would be "happy to assist with requests to meet Pope Francis", but warned he had to "rely on the officials responsible for considering these requests". |
Cardinal Pell and the Royal Commission | Cardinal Pell and the Royal Commission |