George Pell allegedly compares his prison suffering with Jesus
The Department of Justice has launched a probe into a handwritten two-page letter shared on Twitter and purportedly written by Cardinal George Pell in which he allegedly compares his suffering in prison to how Jesus suffered.
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A letter purporting to be penned by George Pell to his supporters from his prison cell compares his suffering with Jesus but says his faith continues to give him strength.
The Department of Justice has launched a probe into the handwritten two-page letter after it was shared on the “Cardinal George Pell Supporters” Twitter account on Friday night.
The investigation will centre on if the Cardinal has breached tough new social media policies prohibiting inmates from getting individuals to post online on their behalf.
The letter, signed off as “your grateful brother”, says he has received up to 2000 letters since he was jailed for six years for molesting two St Patrick’s Cathedral choirboys.
He was Melbourne Archbishop at the time of the offending.
“First of all let me thank you for your prayers and messages of support,” the letter starts, adding that it brings “immense consolation, humanly and spiritually”.
“My faith in our Lord, like yours, is a source of strength.
“The knowledge, that my small suffering can be used for good purposes through being joined to Jesus’ suffering gives me purpose and direction.”
The letter was dated August 1 and has Melbourne Assessment Prison written above the date.
Pell, 77, is in 23-hour lockdown for his own protection at MAP as he awaits a decision on the appeal of his conviction.
He was sentenced to a minimum of three years and eight months behind bars after a jury found him guilty of sexual offending against his two young victims.
Pell vehemently denies any wrongdoing.
Three Court of Appeal judges have been considering his appeal since June, with a decision expected this month.
The letter goes on to say: “The spirit continues to be with the church. You have every right to make your voices heard, reasonably and in charity. We need not expect the worst.”
Prisoners are allowed to send and receive mail, but it is all checked by staff to ensure it is not abusive, threatening or harassing in nature, encouraging illegal activities, jeopardising the security of the prison system, or regarded as distressing or traumatic to a victim.
But inmates are denied access to the internet and social media.
“It is a prison offence to commission other individuals to post something on social media on behalf of a prisoner,” a Department of Justice and Community Safety spokeswoman said.
She said the department will “thoroughly investigate this social media activity”.
Prisoners found to be contravening prison regulations can face disciplinary action.