Vandals’ rage at cardinal release
MELBOURNE’S St Patrick’s Cathedral has been vandalised following Cardinal George Pell’s acquittal of child sexual abuse convictions.
“Rot in Hell Pell” was emblazoned on the doors of the cathedral at the centre of allegations the cardinal abused two choirboys in the 1990s.
The High Court ruled on Tuesday there was insufficient evidence to convict Cardinal Pell, quashing five convictions. He was freed from prison within hours. Overnight the words “the law protects the powerful” were spray-painted on the cathedral forecourt.
Archbishop of Melbourne Peter Comensoli said he wasn’t surprised by the vandalism.
“There’s such strong emotions around all of these matters,” he told Melbourne’s 3AW radio yesterday. He said he hoped people would consider the High Court judgment and see the decision in its legal context, but expects people will keep their original positions about the cardinal.
Cardinal Pell, 78, awoke at Melbourne’s Carmelite Monastery yesterday a free man for the first time in more than a year.
His release comes in a significant week in the Christian calendar – Holy Week, which marks the end of Lent and the celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.
The spread of the coronavirus means he cannot celebrate Easter with any congregation and any thoughts of a quick return to Rome have been scuppered by travel bans.
The cardinal’s previous position as Vatican Treasurer was filled in his absence, putting him effectively in retirement.
Premier Daniel Andrews has refused to comment on the High Court’s decision, but yesterday said people, particularly those of Catholic faith, had to face up to the fact there are people who moved predators across parishes.
I WOULD LIKE TO PRAY FOR ALL THOSE WHO SUFFER UNJUST SENTENCES RESULTING FROM INTRANSIGENCE
Cardinal Pell released a statement saying a serious injustice had been remedied and he bears no ill will toward his accuser.
The Vatican welcomed Cardinal Pell’s acquittal, praising him for waiting “for the truth to be ascertained”.
Pope Francis offered his Tuesday morning mass for those who suffer from unjust sentences, though he did not mention Pell by name.
“I would like to pray today for all those people who suffer unjust sentences resulting from intransigence (against them),” the Pope said, speaking before the start of the service.