The Vatican-appointed commissioner for the protection of children, Peter Saunders, has called Cardinal George Pell “sociopathic” in the way he’s responded to victims of childhood sexual abuse.
In an interview for 60 Minutes, Saunders, who himself is a survivor of child sex abuse in the Catholic Church, said: “He has a catalogue of denigrating people, of acting with callousness, cold-heartedness – almost sociopathic.”
“I personally think that his position is untenable, because he has now a catalogue of denials.”
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse heard earlier this year that Cardinal Pell allegedly attempted to cover up an incident of long term sexual abuse by bribing the victim, and later that he thought “the primary motivation [cover up incidences of sexual abuse] would have been to respect the reputation of the church.” (Yes, that’s an actual quote, straight from the Cardinal’s mouth. Sorry if you just vommed in yours.)
By refusing to front the royal commission until he was specifically invited, Saunders said that Cardinal Pell made “a mockery of the Papal Commission, of the Pope himself, but most of all, of the victims and the survivors.”
“I think it’s critical that he is moved aside, that he is sent back to Australia and that the Pope takes the strongest action against him,” he told 60 Minutes.
Cardinal Pell is now seeking legal advice, with a spokesperson saying the comments by Saunders are “false and misleading”, and that “there is no excuse for broadcasting incorrect and prejudicial material.”
And just to amplify your current SMDH feels, there’s this old chestnut from last year:
Pope Francis appoints brilliant Cardinal Pell from Sydney to be no.3 power in Vatican. Australia will miss him but world will benefit.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) February 25, 2014
Via ABC
Image via Getty Images Handout.
