AN ONLINE petition calling for Cardinal George Pell to return from the Vatican to front a Royal Commission is gaining traction.
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The change.org petition was started on Wednesday, after victim David Ridsdale told the royal commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse Cardinal Pell tried to bribe him to keep quiet over claims he was abused by his uncle, former priest and convicted paedophile Gerald Ridsdale.
It was also claimed Cardinal Pell helped move Ridsdale between parishes and covered up his offending. The petition gained almost 33,000 signatures in three days, with people calling for Pope Francis to send the cardinal home to hear witness statements in person. They say appearing via video link or submitting written statements is “a coward’s approach”.
Cardinal Pell, who is now the Vatican’s finance chief, isn’t listed as a witness for the royal commission, which began public hearings in Ballarat on Tuesday.
Cardinal Pell issued a statement of denial on Wednesday night.
“Over the last 24 hours, I have been accused of being complicit in the moving of a known paedophile, of ignoring a victim’s complaint and of bribery,” Cardinal Pell wrote.
“These matters again require an immediate response and it is important to correct the record, particularly given the false and misleading headlines.”