George Pell funeral: Protest exposes anger over legacy of controversial church leader
The former prime minister has poked fun at George Pell’s critics as protesters and mourners clashed over the cardinal’s legacy.
Former prime minister Tony Abbott used his eulogy at Cardinal George Pell’s funeral to take a brutal swipe at protesters who gathered outside.
A requiem mass for the man who became the highest ranking Australian Catholic was held at Sydney’s St Mary’s Cathedral on Thursday at 11am.
Cardinal Pell, 81, died in Rome in January after complications following a hip replacement surgery.
His handling of child sexual abuse by Catholic priests and brothers, homosexuality and abortion have angered many, prompting protesters to gather outside the church.
Delivering his eulogy, Mr Abbott referred to Cardinal Pell as a saint and said he should never have been investigated, charged or convicted.
He also made a nod to the protesters’ shocking sign, “Pell burn in hell”.
“At least they now believe in the afterlife. St George Pell’s first miracle,” he joked during the service.
Cardinal Pell served 406 days of a six-year sentence over child sexual abuse allegations but always maintained his innocence. The High Court overturned the decision in 2020.
“He should not have been charged in the absence of corroborating evidence and should never have been convicted in the absence of a plausible case, as the High Court so resoundingly made plain,” Mr Abbott said.
He said he wanted study courses and spirituality courses on Cardinal Pell.
“Just as there are for the other saints,” he said.
“If we can direct our prayers to Mother Teresa, Thomas A Becket and St Augustine, why not the late cardinal too, who’s been just as pleasing to God, I’m sure, and has the added virtue of being the very best of us.”
Earlier in the day there were tense scenes as protesters began arriving ahead of the service, with riot officers on the scene in case of any clashes.
Tension built as protesters climbed onto the boundary wall of Hyde Park holding a sign that read in large letters “Pell go to hell”.
It was at this point that the quiet reverence being observed by mourners was broken and gasps could be heard escaping the crowd.
One man became so enraged by the sign that he began shouting across College St at the protesters: “Take it down.”
A group of police officers later intervened and confiscated the sign.
Just metres apart, it was obvious the protester’s message had been heard loud and clear.
Another man carrying a rainbow umbrella was hauled off by police in a dramatic arrest as the service got under way.
The drama unfolded just behind where the thousands who could not fit in the church were seated watching the service from the screens outside.
The man had been blowing a whistle loudly while walking up and down beside the church, appearing to aggravate police and bystanders.
The whistle had been hidden under a face mask.
Earlier, protesters were heard chanting “George Pell go to hell, take Dutton there as well”.
Frank Mullen stood side-by-side with those on the lawns of Hyde Park as the protest kicked into gear.
“I went to a school where a pedophile priest abused numerous peers of mine and I wanted to stand in solidarity with those people today,” he told NCA NewsWire.
“I think that people wishing to celebrate his life is fine, but I think we need to acknowledge what Pell did.
“A lot of what he did was not perfect.”
The wild scenes came after protesters were given the green light to gather outside and hold a “loud, visible and angry” protest during the funeral after negotiations with police.
The protest has been organised by Community Action for Rainbow Rights.
NSW Police tried to stop the protest in the Supreme Court over “safety concerns”.
But the court was told on Wednesday that “alternative arrangements” had been made with protest organisers to use a different route.
The service is being attended by dignitaries from across the country, including leaders of the Catholic Church and Coalition leader Peter Dutton.
Notably, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet did not attend the service.
NSW Opposition Leader Chris Minns skipped the service, and Governor-General David Hurley did not attend either.
NSW MP Damien Tudehope represented Mr Perrottet who missed the funeral due to “prior commitments”.
“I would say to everybody across our state, I think it’s a time that we come together and show respect,” Mr Perrottet told reporters on Wednesday.
Mr Albanese was in Canberra, where he met with the NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles for urgent talks on crime in Alice Springs.
Victorian Premier Dan Andrews last month said a state funeral or memorial for Cardinal Pell, a former archbishop of Melbourne, would be distressing for victim-survivors, but the Cardinal’s legacy would be for others to judge.
“These things are usually offered and there will be no offer made,” he said.
Mr Albanese expressed his condolences on the Cardinal’s death last month.
“For many people, particularly of the Catholic faith, this will be a difficult day, and I express my condolences to all those who are mourning today,” he said.
In the days leading up to the service, protesters tied colourful ribbons to the gates of the cathedral in a show of support for abuse victims and survivors.
The ribbons were removed by the time the service began on Thursday morning.
A requiem mass was also held for the cardinal at the Vatican last month.
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