A date for Cardinal George Pell to give evidence at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses into Child Sex Abuse has been released.
Cardinal Pell is expected to appear on December 16 during the second week of the public hearing regarding Catholic Church authorities in Ballarat at the County Court of Victoria.
Survivors have previously told the commission that it was inconceivable, given the widespread nature of child abuse in Ballarat, that Cardinal Pell and former Ballarat Bishop Ronald Mulkearns did not know about it at the time.
Victims of child sexual abuse also look set to be grilled by lawyers for Cardinal Pell in a bid to quash claims of wrongdoing, including attempted bribery.
The Courier understands Bishop Mulkearns is gravely ill with cancer and a shadow remains over his anticipated appearance.
The hearing regarding Catholic Church authorities in Ballarat will start on December 7 and is expected to finish on December 18.
