Breaking news from the Australian--Cardinal Pell weighs in

Outside parliament, Cardinal George Pell called for the Adelaide archdiocese to deal with Archbishop Hepworth's allegations "expeditiously, according to the church's 'Towards Healing' protocol".

The Archbishop of Sydney, Australia's most senior Catholic churchman, said he was deeply sorry for Archbishop Hepworth's suffering and was appalled at what he had experienced at the hands of Melbourne priest Ronald Pickering, whom the independent commissioner of the Melbourne archdiocese found had abused Archbishop Hepworth 50 years ago.

Archbishop Hepworth also alleges that, as a 15-year-old seminarian in Adelaide, he was raped by the late father John Stockdale.

Cardinal Pell last night urged the church in South Australia to act on the matter. "The public needs to be assured that the matter is being handled appropriately," he told The Australian.

"Archbishop Hepworth's position and status are not an issue in the treatment of his complaint. Complainants are always encouraged to go to the police. When someone who has been abused chooses to bring his complaint to the church rather than to the police, the integrity and implementation of the church's protocols (Towards Healing in this case) are of first importance in achieving justice for the complainant, and indeed for all concerned."

Cardinal Pell spoke out as Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson again refused to discuss the matter publicly or even issue a statement in his own name and Monsignor David Cappo refused to answer questions as he left his office.

Cardinal Pell said more information "seems to be needed to explain further to the public any unusual delays in acting on this complaint, and the decision not to stand aside the person who has been accused".