John Howard speaks for the first time about back George Pell

John Howard has spoken for the first time since he gave a post-conviction character reference to “dedicated” George Pell.

Former PM John Howard. Picture: Kym Smith

John Howard has spoken for the first time since he gave a post-conviction character reference to Cardinal George Pell. whose conviction for molesting choirboys in 1996 was made public this week.

The disgraced cardinal wakes up this morning in a solitary cell in the Melbourne Assessment Prison as he awaits sentencing on five counts of child sexual abuse crimes.

The former prime minister told reporters in Sydney this morning that he could not comment due to Pell’s appeal against his sentence but that his friend “continues to declare his innocence.”

“Allow the justice system to take its course,” Mr Howard said this morning.

“A conviction has been made. He continues to declare his innocence and has lodged an appeal.

“In those circumstances, it is not appropriate for me to make any comment at all and I do not intend to do so.”

Mr Howard was among 10 character references provided for Pell in a pre-sentence hearing to Victorian Country Court chief judge Peter Kidd yesterday.

“Cardinal Pell is a person of both high intelligence and exemplary character,” Mr Howard wrote.

“Strength and sincerity have ­always been features of his personality. 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, irrespective of the prevailing wisdom of the time.”

Mr Howard went on to say Pell was a lively conversationalist who maintained a deep and objective interest in contemporary social and political issues. “It is my view that he has dedicated his life to his nation and his church,” he wrote.

Howard offers backing for Pell

In his character reference, Mr Howard described Pell as a person of “exemplary character” who has dedicated his life to Australia and the church.

Mr Howard’s character reference was just one of 10 tendered to Chief Judge Peter Kidd to assist with the sentencing of Pellon child sex abuse charges.

Mr Howard said he had known Pell for about 30 years, since the now-cardinal was an auxiliary bishop in the Melbourne archdiocese. “Cardinal Pell is a person of both high intelligence and exemplary character,” Mr Howard wrote.

“Strength and sincerity have ­always been features of his personality. I have always found him to be lacking hypocrisy and cant.

Click here to read George Pell’s character references

“In his chosen vocation he has frequently displayed much courage and held to his values and ­beliefs, irrespective of the prevailing wisdom of the time.”

Mr Howard went on to say Pell was a lively conversationalist who maintained a deep and objective interest in contemporarysocial and political issues. “It is my view that he has dedicated his life to his nation and his church,” he wrote.

Pell’s former private secretary, Michael Casey, described Pell as “one of the best of men”.

Mr Casey said he had known Pell since 1980 and related an anecdote about Pell caring for an elderly housekeeper and inviting her to events and special occasions.

Mr Casey said it was “one of the first of countless instances of simple kindness and care” by Pell he had witnessed or learned about.

He also referred to the importance of Pell’s personal faith.

“It means something to George Pell — everything in fact — to be a Christian,” he said. “He did not ­devote his life to being a priest in pursuit of ambition or power, but to serve God by proclaiming the Gospel and by looking after other people, most particularly those who are hurt or struggling.”

 

Family friend Anne McFarlane told Judge Kidd that Pell visited her daughter in hospital after she gave birth. “The baby was very sick and was transferred to a neonatal intensive care unit at another hospital,” she said. “Cardinal Pell was very supportive, visiting the hospital, spending time listening, talking and offering understanding and reassurance to us all.”

Ms McFarlane said her sister was also sick and Pell spent time with her talking about the “terribly difficult subjects of suffering and dying”. “He is a very kind man, full of compassion and generous in ­providing support to those who need it.”

Terry Tobin QC described Pell as an honest man who took the first steps by any leader of a major institution to investigateand compensate abuse victims through the establishment of the Melbourne ­Response in 1996.

“I can say that privately he has genuine compassion for the suffering of victims of abuse and an understanding of the lastingdamage it does,” Mr Tobin said. “I believe he has remained true to that.”

Australian Catholic University vice-chancellor Greg Craven said Pell was “a dear friend” whose public presentation did notnecessarily match his private persona. “Publicly, he is businesslike, and can appear gruff and intensely determined,” ProfessorCraven said. “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 the failings of both friends and enemies, though not himself.”