Linked by video to inquisitors in Australia, Cardinal George Pell gave testimony to Church officials about rampant child sex abuse “down under” while he was in charge.
Judged too fragile for the long flight back to Sydney, Pell was allowed to give his answers to Australian investigators via a video link set up in his hotel room in Rome.
Appearing calm and rested, Pell gave testimony that to some, was less than candid.
Discussing specific issues regarding the sex abuse of children during his tenure as Cardinal, Pell stated that it was his understanding that while boys and girls are younger than adults and have particular differences, he was vague about what those might be.
Pressed on the issue, he admitted that “boy children might have a penis or two. I wouldn’t know, never having seen one. Or two”
Incredulous investigators asked Pell if he was implying that he had never seen a penis, he affirmed that was the case and deflected questions about his own penis by making oblique references to the late Michael Jackson and how many penises he may have had. “No one knows, said Pell, and as far as I can tell, no one wants to.”
Toward the end of the interview, a visibly sweating Pell was asked about sex abuse of girls by Australian priests. “How would that even be possible, he retorted, from what I understand they don’t have any penises at all!”