Tony Abbott’s tribute to ‘saint of our times’ George Pell

Former prime minister Tony Abbott has released a lengthy statement paying tribute to a “great” George Pell.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott has released a length statement praising George Pell, saying “Australia has lost a great son”/

The death of Cardinal Pell has sparked a mixed reaction online as the world begins to process the passing of Australia’s highest-ranked Catholic cleric.

Cardinal Pell died aged 81 in a Rome hospital after suffering complications from a hip replacement surgery.

He had returned to the Vatican in September 2020, six months after he was acquitted of child sexual abuse convictions.

In Mr Abbott’s statement, he called Cardinal Pell a “great leader”.

“As an ecclesiastical and cultural conservative, he attracted praise and blame from all the expected quarters,” Mr Abbott said.

“His incarceration on charges that the High Court ultimately scathingly dismissed was a modern form of crucifixion; reputationally at least a kind of living death.

“His prison journals should become a classic: a fine man wrestling with a cruel fate and trying to make sense of the unfairness of suffering.

“In his own way, by dealing so equably with a monstrous allegation, he strikes me a saint of our times.

“Like everyone who knew him I feel a deep sense of loss but am confident that his reputation will grow and grow that he will become an inspiration for the ages.”

Cardinal George Pell has died aged 81 after suffering complications from hip surgery. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

Australia’s highest-ranking catholic was a highly controversial figure in the eyes of many, with some quick to share their thoughts in the moments after his death was announced.

“George Pell is dead. This will be a very triggering day for a lot of people. Thinking of them,” Four Corners reporter Louise Milligan, who reported extensively on the Catholic leader, tweeted.

“Thinking of the victims and their families who were treated so appallingly by this man and his lieutenants over many decades.” Journalist Suzie Smith, who has also reported extensively on Pell, wrote.

News.com.au contributor Nina Funnell said her thoughts were also with survivors of abuse at the hands of the church.

“Today I remember every victim and survivor of child sexual abuse who was harmed by him & every paedophile he covered for,” she tweeted.

George Pell is dead. This will be a very triggering day for a lot of people. Thinking of them.

— Louise Milligan (@Milliganreports) January 10, 2023

George Pell is dead.

Today I remember every victim and survivor of child sexual abuse who was harmed by him & every paedophile he covered for.

Today I remember all those victims who are no longer with us.

And I stand with all those survivors who still are. #GeorgePell

— Nina Funnell, Journalist & #LetUsSpeak manager (@ninafunnell) January 10, 2023

I am immensely saddened to hear of the unexpected death of Cardinal George Pell. He was a man of deep faith and great integrity. He was blessed with fortitude, courage, determination and intellect. He was proudly Australian.

— Joe Hockey (@JoeHockey) January 10, 2023

Cardinal George Pell Dies at 81. I interviewed him and his "entourage" and he has been one of the key character and source of my book #Sodoma (In the Closet of the Vatican, in english). An archi-conservative, accused of abuses in Australia; yet he was friendly. RIP#GeorgePellpic.twitter.com/2rW1xuPXSY

— Frederic Martel (@martelf) January 10, 2023

“Today I remember all those victims who are no longer with us. And I stand with all those survivors who still are.”

Victorian minister for Tourism, Sport and Major EventsMinister for Creative Industries Steve Dimopoulos said it was a difficult day for a number of reasons.

“Today would be a very difficult day for the cardinal’s family and loved ones but also a very difficult for survivors and victims of child sexual abuse and their families and my thoughts are with them,” he said.

Iconic Australian actor Magda Szubanski simply tweeted: “George Pell is dead. If you can’t say anything good about someone …”

George Pell is dead.
If you can’t say anything good about someone… pic.twitter.com/x4b6hZwKXW

— Magda Szubanski AO (@MagdaSzubanski) January 10, 2023

New York Times journalist Frederic Martel remembered Pell as a “friendly” man despite his reputation.

“I interviewed him and his “entourage” and he has been one of the key character and source of my book Sodoma (In the Closet of the Vatican, in English). An archi-conservative, accused of abuses in Australia; yet he was friendly. RIP,” he tweeted.

Others in the Catholic Church were quick to share their condolences.

Cardinal George Pell, Australia’s highest ranking Catholic, has died in Rome at the age of 81 after suffering complications from a hip replacement surgery. Photo: Victor Sokolowicz

High-profile Catholic Parish Priest of Seaham and Houghton-le-Spring, Father Marc Lyden-Smith, shared his grief for the Cardinal.

“Cardinal Pell has died. May the choirs of angels come to greet him and lead him to eternal life. Rest in peace,” he wrote.

Archbishop of Melbourne, Peter A Comensoli, shared his condolences.

“With great sadness, the news is out that Cardinal George Pell died a few hours ago from heart complications following hip surgery. May eternal light now be his, who so steadfastly believed in the God of Jesus Christ,” he said.

I had the good fortune of meeting Cardinal Pell and hearing him speak last Summer.

Despite all he had been through - falsely accused and imprisoned - there didn't seem to be a drop of bitterness. He made use of his time on earth - whether in Church or prison - to glorify God. https://t.co/w66tksNnM7

— Lois McLatchie (@LoisMcLatch) January 10, 2023

With great sadness, the news is out that Cardinal George Pell died a few hours ago, from heart complications following hip surgery. May eternal light now be his, who so steadfastly believed in the God of Jesus Christ.

— Archbishop Peter A Comensoli (@BishopComensoli) January 10, 2023

British commentator Lois McLatchie also remembered Pell fondly.

“ I had the good fortune of meeting Cardinal Pell and hearing him speak last Summer. Despite all he had been through – falsely accused and imprisoned – there didn’t seem to be a drop of bitterness. He made use of his time on earth – whether in Church or prison – to glorify God,” she said.

Chad Pecknold, Associate Professor of The Catholic University of America, also fondly bid farewell, claiming he had been “unjustly vilified”.

“I am very sorry to hear of the sudden death of Cardinal Pell, who was so unjustly vilified in hatred of the faith, who suffered in union with Christ, and who was also vindicated by a unanimous court — surely a martyr in the ancient sense, a witness,” he said

Dr Dave McDonald, a criminologist at University of Melbourne, tweeted: “George Pell exemplified callous disregard for child sexual abuse across the Catholic Church. Unfortunately that doesn’t end with his death.”

Victorian Leader of the Democratic Labour Party and self-proclaimed “conservative activist” called Pell a “great Australian”.

“Vale Cardinal George Pell. A great Churchman. A great Australian. A great human being. A martyr. May the Angels and the Saints take him to his eternal reward with God. May he Rest In Peace,” he posted to Facebook.

This is terrible news. Cardinal Pell, a hero of the Church and a true friend, has died.He endured unbelievable suffering as the victim of a malicious plot. May God rest his soul and forgive his lying despicable persecutors. pic.twitter.com/xcbkehQyQA

— Damian Thompson (@holysmoke) January 10, 2023

With great sadness, the news is out that Cardinal George Pell died a few hours ago, from heart complications following hip surgery. May eternal light now be his, who so steadfastly believed in the God of Jesus Christ.

— Archbishop Peter A Comensoli (@BishopComensoli) January 10, 2023

More to come …