Just when you thought the Roman Catholic child sex abuse scandal had disappeared, it has resurfaced. The Royal Commission in Australia is still investigating many hundreds of cases, as more complaints continue to arise. And now one of its most revered cardinal’s, Cardinal George Pell, has been fingered as part of the problem. But its too late for prosecutors, he managed to get himself a senior Vatican appointment and is no longer in Australia.
Cardinal George Pell was involved in moving Gerald Ridsdale, a priest, from the Mortlake parish who was a prolific child sex abuse offender, the commission has heard. Pell was also part of a church clerical group called the College of Consultors who discussed Ridsdale and decided to move him to another parish. No reason was given in the minutes of the Consultors. The Commission has heard that offending Catholic priests were moved around among the parishes in Victoria, or sent on “treatment” trips to the U.S. and Italy if they were involved in sexual abuse of young children.
Gerald Ridsdale was found guilty on four occasions of more than 100 separate offences against children as young as four, the commission has learned.
Pell supported Ridsdale during his first court appearance for child abuse in 1993. Even Ridsdale’s own nephew, David, who was also abused, called Pell to tell him about the abuse in 1993. The commission heard that Pell asked David Ridsdale “what it would take” for him to keep quiet about the abuse.
Earlier the commission had heard that Pell was told of abuse as early as 1974, but Pell was dismissive. “Don’t be ridiculous,” he allegedly said.
Even though his bishop knew of the abuse, and moved him from parish to parish, there was never any evidence he had concealed a crime. The Commission has heard that senior Catholic clergy, including Pell, never reported any cases of abuse cases during the three decades Ridsdale was active.
The commission also heard that there has been approximately a dozen suicides linked to the abuse and that the church has been seemingly remorseless. “Its like an unseen cancer in the town,” said one survivor of the shame the victims feel over the abuse. “It is like an unseen carnage.”
The Catholic Church has not acknowledged many of the cases, let alone makes formal apologies. “I would like to have a formal apology, an acknowledgment from the Catholic Church linked with the actual taking of responsibility for looking after the problems they have caused,” said a survivor.
The commission heard that the confessional was very involved in the cover up. “The Catholic church should require clergy to report crimes that are confessed to them. It’s ludicrous that people can go into a confessional box and confess horrendous crimes and be absolved,” said a survivor. “It’s just saying you can do what you want without any proper legal punishment. It’s just like saying a few Hail Marys is the worst punishment you’re going to get. How the clergy still get away with that I don’t know.”
Another survivor said, “I don’t have any faith. The church and everything it stands for is a demon to me.”
There was so much abuse that these hearings are the 28th series to be held by the Royal Commission. They have about 270 people come forward and make contact with the commission every week from across Australia. Already more than six hundred matters have been referred to the police with 1400 more are waiting to be heard. The final report is due by the end of 2017.
“And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” Revelation 18:2
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