George Pell: A polarising Catholic figure
George Pell was by far the best known and most polarising churchman in Australia in the past century, perhaps ever.
Pell’s ultra-orthodox theological position may have been a minority among Australian Catholics, even Catholic bishops. It was remarkable, for example, that despite his prominence he was never voted head of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference by his peers, yet no bishop of his era exerted such a powerful influence on the Church.
But to orthodox Catholics, who increasingly tend to feel under pressure in a post-Christian society, Pell was a stalwart defender of the faith, unaffected by changing winds of ideology inside or outside the church, and quite happy to let criticism bounce off his broad shoulders. A man who did not shirk challenges, he tended not to be tolerant of those he saw as hostile, be it the media, left-wing causes or activists for change within the church, such as the Rainbow Sash movement.
In 1996, he launched the world’s first compensation protocol for victims of clergy child abuse, the Melbourne Response, to a mixed reaction. It was undoubtedly a step forward from no complaints system at all, and it allowed survivors to make historic claims against clergy now dead.
His reputation was increasingly damaged by perceived failings in tackling clergy abuse. His handling of sex abuse cases in Sydney was widely criticised for using the so-called Ellis defence, which asserted there was no Catholic entity that could be sued, followed by a damaging appearance before the Victorian parliamentary inquiry into responses to sexual abuse in 2013, and a far worse one before the royal Commission in 2016.
The Court of Appeal upheld the conviction, but the case went to the High Court, which in 2020 unanimously dismissed the charges. By that time, the cardinal had served 404 days in the Melbourne Assessment Prison and Barwon Prison.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cardinal George Pell, Australia’s most powerful Catholic, who was dogged by scandal – obituaryPell was acquitted on appeal of child sexual abuse charges, but remained tarnished by his response to paedophile priests over decades
Read more »
George Pell: A polarising Catholic figureGeorge Pell was by far the best known and most polarising churchman in Australia in the past century, perhaps ever.
Read more »
Cardinal George Pell dies at the age of 81: reportsAustralian Cardinal George Pell has reportedly died at the age of 81.
Read more »
Vatican confirms George Pell dead after complications from surgeryBREAKING: The Vatican media has confirmed Australian Cardinal George Pell has died aged 81.
Read more »
Cardinal George Pell dies at the age of 81Australian Cardinal George Pell has reportedly died at the age of 81.
Read more »
Cardinal George Pell dies at the age of 81BREAKING Australian Cardinal George Pell has reportedly died at the age of 81.
Read more »