George Pell explains moral responsibility

CARDINAL GEORGE PELL EXPLAINS HOW CANON LAW WORKED TO FACILITATE INACTION ON GERALD RISDALE

* Canon law identifies the different levels of responsibility - jurisdictional or moral

* There are different degrees of moral responsibility depending on the rank of the cleric

* Bishops are not normally challenged by lesser-ranking clergy - which is why consultors who knew about pedophile priest Gerald Risdale may not have challenged Bishop Ronald Mulkearns' 1982 decision to promote him and move him on

* A bishop can accept or reject advice, even if it is advice from the minority on his advisory council

* Lesser-ranking clergy do have a moral responsibility to act on reports of criminal behaviour but have no actual authority to do anything about it in the system

* A law of diminishing moral responsibility applies to bishops and parish priests to areas outside their control

* Office bearers have a greater responsibility than general clergy but what they can do depends on their role and location