|
In The News |
Article: Roman Catholic Church And The Last Days
Australian Cardinal George Pell, the highest-ranking Vatican official to testify on systemic sexual abuse of children by clergy in the Roman Catholic Church, on Monday said senior clergy lied to him to cover up abuse in the 1970s. The Vatican's treasurer told Australia's Royal Commission into Institutional Response to Child Sexual Abuse that he was deceived about why abusive priests were moved from parish to parish.
Pell's testimony to the Australian inquiry into sexual abuse cases that occurred decades ago has taken on wider implications about the accountability of church leaders given his high rank within the church. The cardinal told reporters as he arrived at Rome's Hotel Quirinale to give evidence that he had the full backing of Pope Francis. Commissioner Peter McClellan pressed Pell repeatedly about his assertions that he knew nothing of incidents involving one priest, Father Gerald Ridsdale, who was later convicted of 138 offenses against more than 50 children in Australia. At the time that Ridsdale was being shifted from parish to parish, Pell was tasked with giving advice to the regional bishop on the appointments of priests to particular parishes. Read Full Article ....
|
