Pope backs George Pell in child abuse trial.

Cardinal George Pell has declared he has the Pope’s “full backing”, as he prepares for a second day of testimony in front of the child abuse royal commission.

Australia’s highest-ranking Catholic arrived at Rome’s Hotel Quirinale this morning ahead of another session giving video evidence to the commission on what he knew about abuse committed by Catholic priests.

What did Pell know?

About Monsignor John Day’s abuse of children in Mildura in 1971/72

Heard “gossip” about Day regarding a “great scandal,” but “in those days”, if a priest denied abuse he was strongly inclined to accept it.
“Can’t recall” being told Day had a “love of young boys” or of hearing rumours of Day taking children on car trips and molesting them.
Couldn’t remember any lay person mentioning rumours of Day’s abuse to him, but “they might have.”
Became aware of the allegations in August 1972, following the publication of a newspaper article.

Background: At the time, Cardinal Pell was a priest in Swan Hill, about 200 km away.

About the abuse of children at schools in Ballarat East

He said he was told that Brother Gerald Leo Fitzgerald was kissing children but “the general conviction was it was harmless enough.”
Knew Brother Fitzgerald had taken boys on bike rides and swum nude with them and considered that “unusual” and “imprudent.”
Had not heard about Brother Stephen Francis Farrell “exposing himself” to children.
Had said he’d never heard of the term “bum buddies” and agreed that if children had been labelled that it “certainly suggested” abuse.
Never came to his attention that Brother Ted Dowlan had a reputation for putting his hands down boys’ pants.
Had heard “fleeting references” to Dowlan which he concluded “might be paedophilia activity.”

Background: Cardinal Pell was Episcopal Vicar for Education in Ballarat from 1973-1984.

About Father Gerald Ridsdale’s abuse of children

He said he’d heard Ridsdale had taken groups of boys away on camps and overnight trips and that considered that “unusual, but not improper.”
Never knew that Bishop Ronald Mulkearns had knowledge of allegations against Ridsdale in the 70’s or 80’s.
Bishop Mulkearns’ handling of Ridsdale (moving him to other parishes) was “catastrophic” for victims, as well as the church.

Background: Ridsdale was convicted of dozens of counts of sexual abuse against children in Western Victoria

The cardinal met Pope Francis yesterday, after his first four-hour session of giving evidence.

“I have the full backing of the Pope,” he told reporters outside the hotel.

Cardinal Pell’s office said the regularly scheduled meeting was in regard to his work as head of the Vatican Treasury.

Cardinal Pell was listed on official Vatican records as the Pope’s last visitor for the morning before he left for lunch.

It has not been confirmed if the subject of his royal commission testimony was raised in conversation.

During a video link hook up to on Monday (Australian time),Cardinal Pell said he did not know about sex abuse allegations which had been covered up, but he described the handling of them as “catastrophic” for both the church and victims.

He also said he was not going to try to “defend the indefensible”.

Cardinal Pell left the Hotel Quirinale at 3:00am (local time) and was meeting with Pope Francis later that morning.

International media, including Italian reporters, have been covering the hearing.

The daily newspaper, La Repubblica, made note of the fact that Cardinal Pell is the most senior leader in the church to face this kind of questioning.

It is expected the focus today will again be on Ballarat and the period from 1973 when Cardinal Pell was a priest.

Survivors of child abuse who have travelled from Australia intend on being in the audience again.

It has been a gruelling experience for everyone, with media commitments keeping them busy until well after 4:00am.

Anthony and Chrissie Foster said they were looking forward to some more detailed questions.

They discovered the book about their daughters, who were both abused in the church, had been translated into Italian and was selling well.

They said the trip to Rome had been worthwhile because of the attention they had been able to draw to the issue in Australia.

This post originally appeared on the ABC.

Tags:

'The Pope backs me,' Cardinal George Pell declares.

What did Pell know?

About Monsignor John Day’s abuse of children in Mildura in 1971/72

About the abuse of children at schools in Ballarat East

About Father Gerald Ridsdale’s abuse of children

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This post originally appeared on the ABC.

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