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| 'When you face the truth with dignity, you really can achieve so much,' says abuse survivor David Ridsdale as questioning of Pell concludes – live | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 2.26am GMT | |
| 02:26 | |
| The deputy mayor of Ballarat, Belinda Coates, is with the survivors in Rome. She had this to say: | |
| I would like to congratulate our incredibly brave survivors, and I really deeply, deeply hope that it encourages and empowers other survivors across Australia to speak out and gives them courage. | |
| I would like to thank the support team for supporting the survivors here. I would like to thank the people of Ballarat, the messages of hope and positivity and support for the survivors here and other survivors have just been pouring in, it has been absolutely overwhelming. Also I thank the people across Australia who have sent in messages of support and all power to these survivors here for putting the spotlight on this issue of child sexual abuse, child sexual rape. | |
| It is a serious issue and these people here have just really brought the spotlight of the world onto this, and so I thank them for that. | |
| Ingrid Irwin, representing survivors Stephen Woods and Andrew Collins, said: | |
| For those who come forward that may not have their religion or their church or their family’s support once they come forward, you can make a new family, and reach out, get the help you need and don’t wait, and reclaim your life and there is a lot of help out there. | |
| If you need support you can call 1800 Respect on 1800 737 732, Adults Surviving Child Abuse on 1300 657 380 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. A full list of support services and websites can be found here. | |
| 2.19am GMT | |
| 02:19 | |
| "I hope we’ve shown everyone that when you face the truth with dignity, you really can achieve so much," abuse survivor David Ridsdale says. | |
| David Ridsdale, who is the nephew and victim of notorious paedophile priest Gerald Francis Ridsdale, says he wonders why Pell didn’t assist him when he rang him for help. He told reporters: | |
| I hope we’ve shown everyone that when you face the truth with dignity, you really can achieve so much. We have worked so hard to do that, and I think what we have been through over the years, all of us, to have pulled together to pull this off is a testament – don’t ever underestimate broken people. | |
| Just because you see people in the street and you think there is something wrong with them, stop the judging, you know, pick them up, like we picked each other up, because that is how humanity will go forward, not this hiding, not this power struggle, not this power imbalance, because that is why we refused the first meeting [with Cardinal George Pell] and that is now why we are now going, because we are meeting on a level playing field. | |
| The meeting with Pell will be held tomorrow morning at 11.30am Rome time. Given it’s 3.3oam Rome time now, that’s only a few hours away for the exhausted survivors. Ridsdale says of the meeting: | |
| There are a few things we will say, but we as a group have made a commitment to our selves to be diplomatic and dignified. | |
| “Don’t ever underestimate broken people.” Survivor David Ridsdale after final day of #Pell testimony #thedrum https://t.co/UsEOIpDLI9 | |
| Updated | |
| at 2.28am GMT | |
| 2.13am GMT | |
| 02:13 | |
| Abuse survivor Paul Levey has broken down addressing the media in Rome. It took a lot for him to get there, as he suffers from a medical condition which makes it difficult for him to fly. He required a 24-hour stopover. He implores people to tie a ribbon to their fence to show support for child sexual abuse victims around the world, as part of a movement called Loud Fence. | |
| My name is Paul Levey and I would like to thank all the survivors who have made this journey to Rome to hear Cardinal Pell testify. | |
| We are like many cogs that make a clock turn. In strength of mind, we are like brothers. I would like to thank the people who came with us to make sure we stayed safe and well. I would also like to say a special thank you to my partner Michelle who has been on this journey with me for 20 years. | |
| Last of all, I would like to thank everybody at home who has shown us that we have the support of Australia and the world behind us, and I would like to thank the people of Rome for making us welcome in their beautiful country, and last of all, everybody I would like you to tie some ribbons on your house, on your gates, on your fence for Loud Fence. | |
| Paul Levey is one of the abuse survivors from Ballarat now in Rome to watch Pell give his evidence. pic.twitter.com/9u7omIKwD4 | |
| The survivors made it to Rome after lawyers for Pell said he was too unwell to fly to Australia to give evidence. It prompted a large fundraising campaign to raise money to send survivors and a support network of counsellors to Rome. You can read about that campaign, which raised more than $200,000, here. | |
| Updated | |
| at 2.18am GMT | |
| 2.02am GMT | |
| 02:02 | |
| Ballarat sexual abuse survivor Tony Wardley addresses media in Rome. | |
| Tony Wardley says: | |
| First of all I want to thank my wife and family who have stuck by me. Secondly, I want to thank the people of Ballarat, Australia and the world who donated money so we have a voice. It is the responsibility of all humanity to protect children, not to stand by and pass the buck. | |
| I hope this doesn’t seem like a Catholic-bashing exercise, but religions – all religions who worship their God or gods – must realise the messengers are only messengers, they are not above everyone else. I would like to thank the media for amplifying our voices. | |
| Updated | |
| at 2.05am GMT | |
| 1.59am GMT | |
| 01:59 | |
| To recap the final hour of evidence: | |
| Updated | |
| at 2.03am GMT | |
| 1.44am GMT | 1.44am GMT |
| 01:44 | 01:44 |
| Thats it, Pell has finished his four nights of evidence. He walks out without looking at survivors, again. | Thats it, Pell has finished his four nights of evidence. He walks out without looking at survivors, again. |
| 1.41am GMT | 1.41am GMT |
| 01:41 | 01:41 |
| The evidence concludes | The evidence concludes |
| Pell’s lawyer points out that it was Pell who handed paedophile priest Peter Searson a letter telling him to resign. | Pell’s lawyer points out that it was Pell who handed paedophile priest Peter Searson a letter telling him to resign. |
| Duggan: “What was his response to you telling him that, or handing him a letter requesting his resignation?” | Duggan: “What was his response to you telling him that, or handing him a letter requesting his resignation?” |
| Pell: “... he wasn’t at all pleased.” | Pell: “... he wasn’t at all pleased.” |
| Duggan: “And your response was, ‘Retire and resign’.” | Duggan: “And your response was, ‘Retire and resign’.” |
| The questioning of Pell has now finished and Pell has been told he will not be required further. | The questioning of Pell has now finished and Pell has been told he will not be required further. |
| Cd. Pell says when he tried to fire Searson "Rome found against me" but "I just ignored the Roman decision." #CARoyalComm | Cd. Pell says when he tried to fire Searson "Rome found against me" but "I just ignored the Roman decision." #CARoyalComm |
| Melissa Davey with you here. Stay with us for a recap to the day’s events and reaction from survivors. | Melissa Davey with you here. Stay with us for a recap to the day’s events and reaction from survivors. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.42am GMT | at 1.42am GMT |
| 1.35am GMT | 1.35am GMT |
| 01:35 | 01:35 |
| A long week for all involved. | A long week for all involved. |
| If the royal commission into child abuse wraps up as planned in 40mins Cardinal Pell will have sat through 19 hours of questioning. | If the royal commission into child abuse wraps up as planned in 40mins Cardinal Pell will have sat through 19 hours of questioning. |
| 1.33am GMT | 1.33am GMT |
| 01:33 | 01:33 |
| Pell’s lawyer, Duggan, is now challenging comments made by counsel assisting, Gail Furness, yesterday that it was “implausible” that Pell was not properly briefed by the Catholic Education Office about the abuse occurring at the hands of paedophile priest Peter Searson. Duggan is also addressing suggestions from commission chair, Peter McClellan, that Pell could have done more to address abuse allegations and respond to them while he was auxiliary bishop. | Pell’s lawyer, Duggan, is now challenging comments made by counsel assisting, Gail Furness, yesterday that it was “implausible” that Pell was not properly briefed by the Catholic Education Office about the abuse occurring at the hands of paedophile priest Peter Searson. Duggan is also addressing suggestions from commission chair, Peter McClellan, that Pell could have done more to address abuse allegations and respond to them while he was auxiliary bishop. |
| Pell tells Duggan: “I wasn’t asked to help. I’m not sure that my requesting would have helped or hindered a change of mind by the archbishop. He’s quite accurate in saying the auxiliary bishops are outside the executive chain. Could I just say one sincere word for Father [Thomas] Doyle? I think he was very competent, innocent director – a competent director of education. We now know he stated explicitly he wanted Searson removed. When the archbishop refused to do that, it put Father Doyle in an appallingly difficult situation. I just ask that that be noted.” | Pell tells Duggan: “I wasn’t asked to help. I’m not sure that my requesting would have helped or hindered a change of mind by the archbishop. He’s quite accurate in saying the auxiliary bishops are outside the executive chain. Could I just say one sincere word for Father [Thomas] Doyle? I think he was very competent, innocent director – a competent director of education. We now know he stated explicitly he wanted Searson removed. When the archbishop refused to do that, it put Father Doyle in an appallingly difficult situation. I just ask that that be noted.” |
| The commission previously heard that Doyle found it so stressful and upsetting that no one was responding to his complaints that Searson was abusing children that he resigned. He was unable to get a Catholic teaching job after that. | The commission previously heard that Doyle found it so stressful and upsetting that no one was responding to his complaints that Searson was abusing children that he resigned. He was unable to get a Catholic teaching job after that. |
| In November Doyle told the commission that when he was director of the Catholic Education Office for much of the time Searson was a parish priest, and he believed the complaints about Searson were serious. However, he did not go to police. | In November Doyle told the commission that when he was director of the Catholic Education Office for much of the time Searson was a parish priest, and he believed the complaints about Searson were serious. However, he did not go to police. |
| Searson died in 2009 having never faced charges. The commission heard the complaints against him spanned two decades, from 1977, and across the three parishes where he worked as a priest. | Searson died in 2009 having never faced charges. The commission heard the complaints against him spanned two decades, from 1977, and across the three parishes where he worked as a priest. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.35am GMT | at 1.35am GMT |
| 1.23am GMT | 1.23am GMT |
| 01:23 | 01:23 |
| Pell’s lawyer is painting a picture of how very busy Pell was during the time paedophile priests were abusing children throughout parishes within the Ballarat diocese. Excerpts from Pell’s diary are being tendered as evidence. | Pell’s lawyer is painting a picture of how very busy Pell was during the time paedophile priests were abusing children throughout parishes within the Ballarat diocese. Excerpts from Pell’s diary are being tendered as evidence. |
| Pell describes his day on 14 September, 1983: “I was a member of the council of the Ballarat college of advanced education so the diary indicates that I lectured for a couple of hours, travelled down to Melbourne for a 2:30 meeting and came back for the evening meeting of the Council of the Ballarat College of Advanced Education”. | Pell describes his day on 14 September, 1983: “I was a member of the council of the Ballarat college of advanced education so the diary indicates that I lectured for a couple of hours, travelled down to Melbourne for a 2:30 meeting and came back for the evening meeting of the Council of the Ballarat College of Advanced Education”. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.28am GMT | at 1.28am GMT |
| 1.17am GMT | 1.17am GMT |
| 01:17 | 01:17 |
| Pell says in 1974 he never visited Ridsdale in Apollo Bay, nor in 1975 in Inglewood, nor in 76-77 in Edenhope, nor in early '80s in Mortlake | Pell says in 1974 he never visited Ridsdale in Apollo Bay, nor in 1975 in Inglewood, nor in 76-77 in Edenhope, nor in early '80s in Mortlake |
| Not sure where this is going, but I presume it's going somewhere | Not sure where this is going, but I presume it's going somewhere |
| 1.15am GMT | 1.15am GMT |
| 01:15 | 01:15 |
| Documents are being tendered by Pell’s lawyer, Duggan, showing that he was on study leave from May to August 1979. Pell tells the commission he was “very busy” during part of the period when child abusers were operating within the diocese of Ballarat. | Documents are being tendered by Pell’s lawyer, Duggan, showing that he was on study leave from May to August 1979. Pell tells the commission he was “very busy” during part of the period when child abusers were operating within the diocese of Ballarat. |
| Duggan: “It appears in this letter that a request has been made to you to become editor of a publication called ‘Light’. Is that right?” | Duggan: “It appears in this letter that a request has been made to you to become editor of a publication called ‘Light’. Is that right?” |
| Pell: “That is correct.” | Pell: “That is correct.” |
| Duggan: “You appear to express some reluctance to take on that role. Why was that?” | Duggan: “You appear to express some reluctance to take on that role. Why was that?” |
| Pell: “Because, as I said, I got no particular enthusiasm for extra work and do not feel underemployed. In fact, I was already very, very busy.” | Pell: “Because, as I said, I got no particular enthusiasm for extra work and do not feel underemployed. In fact, I was already very, very busy.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.17am GMT | at 1.17am GMT |
| 1.10am GMT | 1.10am GMT |
| 01:10 | 01:10 |
| Elle Hunt | Elle Hunt |
| Kristina Keneally has defended her credentials to comment on Pell’s evidence on Twitter. | Kristina Keneally has defended her credentials to comment on Pell’s evidence on Twitter. |
| Yep, as a former Catholic school teacher & youth worker with a degree in Catholic theology, what would I know? https://t.co/R48k9S0IP0 | Yep, as a former Catholic school teacher & youth worker with a degree in Catholic theology, what would I know? https://t.co/R48k9S0IP0 |
| 1.08am GMT | 1.08am GMT |
| 01:08 | 01:08 |
| Cardinal Pell's lawyer Sam Duggan is now asking him questions | Cardinal Pell's lawyer Sam Duggan is now asking him questions |
| Pell’s lawyer, Sam Duggan, asks Pell: “In late 1975 or any time after whilst you were in Ballarat, did the police ever tell you that they thought Gerald Ridsdale had sexually assaulted a child but they weren’t going to charge him?” | Pell’s lawyer, Sam Duggan, asks Pell: “In late 1975 or any time after whilst you were in Ballarat, did the police ever tell you that they thought Gerald Ridsdale had sexually assaulted a child but they weren’t going to charge him?” |
| Pell: “No, never.” | Pell: “No, never.” |
| Duggan: “Did the police ever warn you that Gerald Ridsdale might be a risk of abusing a child?” | Duggan: “Did the police ever warn you that Gerald Ridsdale might be a risk of abusing a child?” |
| Pell: “No.” | Pell: “No.” |
| 1.05am GMT | 1.05am GMT |
| 01:05 | 01:05 |
| The commission has resumed with Pell apologising to abuse survivor Julie Stewart. | The commission has resumed with Pell apologising to abuse survivor Julie Stewart. |
| If I inadvertently added to the distress of Ms Stewart, I absolutely apologise. | If I inadvertently added to the distress of Ms Stewart, I absolutely apologise. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.13am GMT | at 1.13am GMT |
| 12.59am GMT | 12.59am GMT |
| 00:59 | 00:59 |
| It has been an unbelievably long few days for the survivors, particularly those who are in Rome. The evidence has been going past 3am Rome time each day. | It has been an unbelievably long few days for the survivors, particularly those who are in Rome. The evidence has been going past 3am Rome time each day. |
| Mood here has nose-dived. Fatigue. #Pell | Mood here has nose-dived. Fatigue. #Pell |
| It's 1.35am in Rome. Cardinal #Pell has agreed to give evidence until 3am. Fourth consecutive day to finish at 2am or later. Gruelling. | It's 1.35am in Rome. Cardinal #Pell has agreed to give evidence until 3am. Fourth consecutive day to finish at 2am or later. Gruelling. |
| 12.56am GMT | 12.56am GMT |
| 00:56 | 00:56 |
| A recap of the last couple of hours | A recap of the last couple of hours |
| If you find any of the evidence or coverage of the commission distressing, you can call 1800 Respect on 1800 737 732, Adults Surviving Child Abuse on 1300 657 380 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. A full list of support services and websites can be found here. | If you find any of the evidence or coverage of the commission distressing, you can call 1800 Respect on 1800 737 732, Adults Surviving Child Abuse on 1300 657 380 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. A full list of support services and websites can be found here. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.02am GMT | at 1.02am GMT |
| 12.37am GMT | 12.37am GMT |
| 00:37 | 00:37 |
| The commission is taking a short adjournment. Lawyers representing child sexual abuse survivors have spent the morning grilling Pell about what he knew of their stories as well as those who abused them. | The commission is taking a short adjournment. Lawyers representing child sexual abuse survivors have spent the morning grilling Pell about what he knew of their stories as well as those who abused them. |
| It's 1.35am in Rome. Cardinal #Pell has agreed to give evidence until 3am. Fourth consecutive day to finish at 2am or later. Gruelling. | It's 1.35am in Rome. Cardinal #Pell has agreed to give evidence until 3am. Fourth consecutive day to finish at 2am or later. Gruelling. |
| It's a shame, but the victims' lawyers are only being given around 20 minutes each to ask what are often a lifetime's worth of questions | It's a shame, but the victims' lawyers are only being given around 20 minutes each to ask what are often a lifetime's worth of questions |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.38am GMT | at 12.38am GMT |