Archbishop of Sydney

No Cover-up

By + Cardinal George Pell
Archbishop of Sydney
8/7/2008

I should preface my remarks by pointing out that I have a good record in dealing with sexual misbehaviour and was the first to set up diocesan protocols in Melbourne in 1996.

There was no cover-up: The accusations against Father Goodall were investigated by the Church and the police, and Father Goodall was stood down.  Church authorities fully cooperated at every stage.

The Jones case which was revealed on Lateline last night is unusual in a number of ways.

1) At the time of the incident with Father Goodall, Jones was 29 years of age.  He was not a minor.

2) The case demonstrates how difficult it is to do justice to all parties.

I accepted Howard Murray’s two basic recommendations (of January 2003)

a) that Father Goodall be assessed for suitability to continue acting as a priest.  This was done and he was then stood down from priestly activity.

b) that the allegations of both complainants had been sustained and they be offered remedial assistance.

However I differed from Murray, because I did not believe there was sufficient evidence of rape (where that was alleged).

3) The letter to Mr. Jones was badly worded and a mistake.  I was attempting to inform him that there was no other allegation of rape and I overstated my agreement with Murray, who found all allegations sustained.  I accepted all these findings, including the homosexual misbehaviour; but (I repeat) found evidence for rape insufficient.

4) The case is also unusual because it was taken up by the criminal courts after Mr. Jones was dissatisfied with Church findings.  Goodall was convicted in court under the laws in vogue in 1982 which are now changed.  There was never any allegation by prosecutors of rape.  Goodall was sentenced until the rising of the Court and the Judge remarked publicly that his conviction would be unlikely under today’s law.

5) Church authorities are regularly updating their protocols.

In July 2003 I approached retired Supreme Court Judge Bill Priestly to head an Advisory Board to me for cases of alleged sexual misconduct.  That Committee is set up and continues today.

Secondly I no longer rely only on in house advisers on legal matters and always now take outside legal advice as well.

6) Another unusual factor is that only 2 weeks ago Mr. Jones’ civil claims were resolved by mutual consent in the Supreme Court.  My offer to provide help to Mr. Jones is still on the table.

There was no attempt at a cover-up.  Both sets of allegations against Father Goodall were followed to their conclusions.