Cardinal George Pell has responded to critics over his non-attendance at the Royal Commissions hearings into sexual abuse in the Ballarat Diocese and maintains he will return to the city when his health improves.
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The statement from the Cardinal followed a groundswell of criticism from the city’s leaders including Wendouree MP Sharon Knight who said in Parliament this week the Cardinal’s lack of concern for the Ballarat community meant he should never return.Cardinal Pell was this week given approval by the commission to give evidence via video link due to an ongoing heart condition which he maintains prevents him from long-haul air travel.
“The Cardinal is clear that when his health improves and his workload permits, he hopes to return to Australia - but clearly, at this stage, the timing of any visit home cannot be determined,” the statement read. “The Cardinal stated again how important it was for survivors and for the general public that he be provided with an opportunity to respond to matters raised in recent hearings.”
The Cardinal is expected to give evidence from the Vatican over three days from February 29. The commission will sit in Sydney for the hearings but provide a live webcast. The inquiry has announced it would sit earlier to accommodate a request from Cardinal Pell. The sex abuse inquiry said Cardinal Pell requested the commission sit from 8am for his hearings due to the ten hour time difference. A statement from the inquiry said in accordance with a request from Cardinal Pell, the hearing will begin at 08:00am AEDT. The commission traditionally sits between 10.30am and 4pm. An inquiry hearing into allegations of sexual abuse concerning Christian Brothers will begin at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on February 22.