Cardinal Pell’s prison diary to be published

A 1,000-page journal written by George Pell during his time behind bars is to be released by a US-based Catholic publisher that is appealing for donations to help fund the project.

The Australian cardinal, a former Vatican treasurer, had convictions for child abuse overturned by the high court in early April after serving 13 months in prison.

Ignatius Press said it will now publish the “extraordinary” diary, which was written in solitary confinement, and appealed to supporters to help fund an advance to Pell, who would use it to cover outstanding legal fees.

Father Joseph Fessio, editor with Catholic publisher Ignatius Press, sent an e-mail to subscribers asking for the donations, Australian media reported.

Fessio said he had “read half so far, and it is wonderful reading”, and predicted the diary would become a spiritual classic. The first instalment, on Pell’s trials, solitary confinement, the Church, politics and sports, is likely to be published next year.

Pell, 79, was convicted in 2018 of sexually abusing two choirboys in the nineties when he was the archbishop of Melbourne.

He strenuously denied the charges and the high court later overturned his conviction after hearing his second appeal.