The Cardinal George Pell committal hearing in Melbourne Magistrates' Court, called to weigh allegations of historic sexual offences that the 76-year-old cardinal denies, was reopened to the media and public on Wednesday afternoon.
The court was closed to the public and media 25 minutes after the hearing began on 5 March, as is the practice in courts in the state of Victoria when complainants testify in sexual offence cases. Up to 50 complainants were expected to testify.
In the open hearing on Wednesday, defence counsel Robert Richter, QC, claimed that a support group for sex abuse victims, Broken Rites, was first to raise the name “Pell” with one of the cardinal's accusers, before a report was made to police. But Broken Rites researcher and retired academic, Dr Bernard Barrett, denied this in an exchange with Mr Richter.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that Dr Barrett told the hearing the man's mother had first contacted him to report that her son had been the victim of separate alleged sexual offending, but six months later claimed that he had also been offended against by Cardinal Pell.
The Age newspaper reported that Dr Barrett rejected Mr Richter's suggestion that it would be a "feather in the cap" if he (Dr Barrett) could go to the police with Cardinal Pell's name.
"Did you mention Pell's name [to police]?" Mr Richter asked. "Emphatically no," Dr Barrett replied. "Why didn't you?", said Richter. "It's a matter for the victim", said Barrett.
Soon after the hearing reopened to the public, the court heard that one of Cardinal Pell's alleged victims died of a heroin overdose and that his father never suspected he had been sexually offended against.
The father said he was shocked when told of his son's allegations and had never suspected anything untoward occurred and that "it was never hinted that there was something going on".
He said his son never disclosed the allegations to him or the reason why he began using heroin. He said he learnt about his son's allegations against Cardinal Pell from the police.
Cardinal Pell is fighting historical sexual offence charges involving multiple complaints. No other details can be reported for legal reasons. Details of the charges are yet to be revealed. The Cardinal has repeatedly denied the allegations.
The Australian Broadcasting Company reported that for the past 10 days, a security guard had been stationed by the door to court room 22 at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court to ensure no one but Cardinal Pell, his support person, legal team, prosecutors and a magistrate were able to enter.
Over five days, multiple complainants gave their evidence via video link before being cross-examined by Mr Richter.
The committal hearing is expected to finish on Holy Thursday, 29 March. If Magistrate Belinda Wallington sends the case to trial, Cardinal Pell will be required to enter a plea to the charges. The court is expected to remain open to the public and media for the rest of the committal hearing.
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