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1. Cardinal Pell pledges to help survivors as his appearance at the royal commission wraps up.
Cardinal George Pell has committed himself to work with child sex abuse survivors.
Following an hour long meeting with a group of survivors who travelled to Rome to hear him give evidence to the child abuse royal commission the cardinal said it had been a “sometimes emotional meeting” and it was agreed to explore the possibility of establishing a research centre in Ballarat to “enhance healing and improve protection.
“One suicide is too many, and there have been many such tragic suicides,” the cardinal said reading from a handwritten statement.
“I commit myself to working … to try to stop this so that suicide is not seen as an option for those who are suffering.”
“We all want try to make things better actually and on the ground, especially for the survivors and their families.”
“I too, despite the separation of distance want to help make Ballarat a model and a better place for healing and for peace.”
Survivor David Ridsdale said victims were overwhelmed with emotion following the meeting with the Cardinal.
“We’ve just had an extremely emotional meeting with Cardinal Pell,” Mr Risdale said.
“We met on a level playing field, we met as people of Ballarat.”
Cardinal Pell has now finished giving evidence at the royal commission.
Top Comments
Tim Minchin's video clip looks a bit OTT, ill-considered and unnecessary, now that the survivors have had a cordial and productive meeting with Pell.
A cordial meeting with Pell doesn't compensate anybody for the long years he spent either actively covering up (their) child sexual abuse or passively turning away in the full knowledge of it taking place. Then escaping to the Vatican to have 'the full support of the Pope.' This man is diabolical.
Tim Minchin's song is as satisfying and relevant as ever to anyone who cannot understand how this 'moral leader' has not only behaved so immorally, but has also gotten away with it!
Deliver us from Evil, Amen.
I imagine Rocco Ritchie may be quite happy living in the UK with dad. In 3 years, he'll be a legal adult anyway and live his life where he wants to and when, so perhaps Madonna has realised a legal application is futile. Even if he was returned to the US, a ruling can't make a 15 year old want to be with you anymore than he does.
Sounds like they have a sensible judge at least, judging by his comments in the article!