You are on page 1of 2
 
 
STATEMENT
 
ON MISLEADING PUBLIC STATEMENTS
09 November 2012
Earlier today, Mr Troy Grant MLA, during an interview on 702 ABC radio, made false, misleading and defamatory remarks about Cardinal Pell during an interview on the problem of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church in the Hunter Region. The remarks made by Mr Grant in relation to Cardinal Pell are untrue. Unfortunately, Mr Grant demonstrated a complete misunderstanding of Church structures, as well as the Cardinal’s record of serious commitment and effort to eradicate this evil from the Church. He falsely suggested that the Cardinal was somehow involved in thwarting a police investigation in the Hunter Region but failed to point out Cardinal Pell has never had jurisdiction over clergy in the Diocese of Maitland Newcastle and has never worked or held a position of responsibility in that diocese. It is not clear why Mr Grant would make these remarks. Personal and false smears, as well as misrepresentations about senior Church figures such as Cardinal Pell (who has helped lead the way in responding to sexual abuse) are helpful to no one, particularly when discussing a matter as serious as the sexual abuse of children. During his sixteen years as Archbishop of Melbourne and Sydney, Cardinal Pell has regularly explained to the public the procedures followed by him in the areas of his responsibility, his Archdiocese, to combat sexual abuse and has never distanced himself from his responsibilities. To be very clear, procedures now in place in the Archdiocese of Sydney, ensure that all allegations of sexual abuse are reported to the police. Victims are not silenced or intimidated. Abusers are not protected or moved around.
 
STATEMENT ON MISLEADING PUBLIC STATEMENTS
2Earlier today, and notwithstanding the defamatory remarks made by Mr Grant, the Cardinal provided Mr Grant with a further copy of
The Response of the  Archdiocese of Sydney 
 to the problem of sexual abuse, which was distributed to all NSW MPs in September.
ENDS
 
For further information: Katrina Lee Director of Catholic Communications  Archdiocese of Sydney Phone: 9390 5304  Mobile: 0403 950652 Email: katrina.lee@sydneycatholic.org 
Level 15, 133 Liverpool Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000 Telephone: (02) 9390 5300 Facsimile: (02) 9390 5306 Email: media@sydneycatholic.org
 

Reward Your Curiosity

Everything you want to read.
Anytime. Anywhere. Any device.
No Commitment. Cancel anytime.
576648e32a3d8b82ca71961b7a986505