Backed but career in Rome over
POPE Francis last night offered guarded support for Cardinal George Pell, while expressing respect for the Australian judicial system that will decide his fate.
But Vatican insiders are already preparing to pension off Cardinal Pell, regardless of the outcome of the case involving historic sex offences.
The Bulletin has been told it is highly unlikely that Cardinal Pell, who was promoted to the Vatican three years ago to reform its multi-billion-dollar real estate and financial portfolio, will return to Rome in his high-profile role.
Pope Francis, while supportive of Cardinal Pell, is seeking to fend off his harshest critics and minimise any reputational damage to the church.
In a statement read by his media officer, Greg Burke, Pope Francis said: “The Holy See expresses its respect for the Australian justice system, which will have to decide the merits of the questions raised.
“At the same time it is important to recall Cardinal Pell has openly and repeatedly condemned as immoral and intolerable the acts of abuse against minors.
“He has co-operated in the past with Australian authorities – for example, in his deposition before the royal commission; he has supported the pontifical commission for the protection of minors; and finally, as a diocesan bishop in Australia, has introduced systems and procedures both for the protection of minors and to provide assistance to victims of abuse.’’
Last night, Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher asked people to pray for the Catholic Church.
He described the cardinal as a “man of integrity” and said the Archdiocese would assist with his accommodation and support when he returned to Australia.
But Archbishop Fisher said the archdiocese would not pay legal bills charges.
“The George Pell I know is a man of integrity in his dealings with others, a man of faith and high ideals, a thoroughly decent man,” he said.
“Where complaints of abuse are made, victims should be listened to with respect and compassion, and their complaints investigated and dealt with according to law.
“The justice and compassion we all seek for victims of abuse includes getting to the truth of such allegations. We must now allow the impartial pursuit of justice,” he said.
Just last month Pope Francis said the Vatican was dealing with a backlog of 2000 claims of sex abuse.
Three days after last Christmas, he sent a letter to all of the bishops around the world denouncing child sexual abuse as a “sin that shames us’’ and needed to be rooted out. arising from the
IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECALL CARDINAL PELL HAS REPEATEDLY CONDEMNED AS IMMORAL AND INTOLERABLE THE ACTS OF ABUSE AGAINST MINORS POPE FRANCIS