Revealed: The 10 people who wrote character references for George Pell
High-profile friends of George Pell are sticking by him as they attempt to convince a judge he’s a good man. Former Australian prime minister John Howard is among them. READ THE FULL STATEMENTS
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High-profile friends of disgraced Cardinal George Pell are sticking by him as they attempt to convince a judge he’s a good man.
Ten references in support of George Pell’s character were submitted, including one from former prime minister John Howard, who has known the senior Catholic Church leader for 30 years.
“Cardinal Pell is a person of both high intelligence and exemplary character. Strength and sincerity have always been features of his personality,” he said.
“I have always found him to be lacking hypocrisy and cant.
“In his chosen vocation he has frequently displayed much courage and held to his values and beliefs.”
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Mr Howard said he remained a supporter of Pell despite the guilty findings on five child-sex charges.
“None of these matters alter my opinion of the cardinal,” he said. “It is my view that he has dedicated his life to his nation and his church.”
Vice chancellor of the Australian Catholic University, Professor Greg Craven, AO, said Pell was a “dear friend” and they had known each other for 25 years.
“I also should say that Cardinal Pell’s public presentation does not necessarily match his private persona,” he said. “Publicly he is businesslike and can appear gruff and intensely determined. Such a demeanour doubtless allows him to cope with the many difficult issues with which he is presented.
“Privately he is a deeply sensitive person; thoughtful; considerate; and notably charitable in respect of both friends and enemies.
“He has a profound sense of humour, most often expressed at his own expense.”
Pell’s barrister, Robert Richter, QC, said the references were written with the knowledge he had been found guilty of the offences.
He said they spoke of a man who had done a lot for the community, shown a great deal of compassion and a “great sense of humour”.
Terry Tobin, QC, said Pell did not have “tickets on himself”, was warm, humane and honest and his public image was at odds with the actual person. “He has a deep commitment to education and the advancement of young people. Perhaps it is his major concern,” he said.
Mr Tobin said Pell had never spoken ill or with bitterness against those who have made accusations against him.
“I can say that privately he has genuine compassion for the suffering of victims of abuse and an understanding of the lasting damage it does. I believe he has remained true to that,” he said.
Others describe him as warm towards the homeless, and Sue Buckingham recalled Pell eating a sausage while sitting on a milk crate talking to marginal women and showing his more “comfortable” side.
Close friend Anne McFarlane, whose home Pell has lived in for much of the past eight months, said he was a man of very simple needs, completely humble and undemanding, as well as grateful for any kindness or help.
Ms McFarlane has driven him to and from court and sat with him during proceedings on many occasions.
“The cardinal enjoys our simple, busy family life, loves spending time with the children and has been an enormous support to us during some very hard times, even in the midst of his own difficulties,” she said.
She added later: “I have experienced over and over again, the kindness, warmth, empathy and openness of a man who very much feels for people and appreciates their struggles”.
Relative Chris Meney said Pell felt it deeply when others were hurt or damaged
“I know George Pell to be a man who is always on the lookout to assist those in need and have observed him often to be willing to give of his own resources to assist the less well-off even when those recipients might not be positively disposed towards religion or the church,” he said.
“George Pell is a man who is very stoic and he has pushed himself physically in his later years so as to ensure he is no burden to others.”
Retired co-ordinator of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry (Sydney Archdiocese) Elsie Heiss said Pell had quietly helped the Aboriginal Catholics of Sydney with moral and financial support.
Michael Casey, who met Pell when he was a border at St Patrick’s College, Ballarat, and later worked for him, called him “one of the best men”.
Katrina Potter described Pell as a man of generosity and compassion.
He had privately met many victims of clergy abuse and his “commitment to eradicating this scourge from the church is profound”.
“I find it difficult to understand how a man who has achieved so much publicly and privately has drawn so much ill-feeling,” Ms Potter said.
“Some have seen him as a polarising figure. I have seen him as a person of great integrity, someone who will not stand on pomp and ceremony to get things done. I see him as a man of a very deep faith who has contributed to scholarship and social challenges alike. He is selfless, honest and caring. Cardinal Pell once told me he doesn’t wear his heart on his sleeve. Perhaps his stoicism has contributed to a perception held by some.”
Daniel Casey said Pell was a remarkable man who found his separation from his sister, Margaret, during his time at the Vatican very hard, especially as her health deteriorated.
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