How Catholic priests will address George Pell sex abuse conviction

Catholic priests, including the Archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher, have pre-written homilies to address parishioners at Mass today about George Pell’s conviction on child sex offences, and to discuss the challenges ahead for Catholics.

• ‘I know George Pell and that man cannot be guilty’
• Why didn’t you look after the kids, George Pell?

Archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher and priests across the state will use Mass today to address George Pell’s conviction on child sex offences.

Priests have pre-written homilies and informal announcements discussing the verdict and the challenges ahead for Catholics.

The Archbishop is expected to speak to parishioners on the issue at the start of Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral and during his homily.

Archbishop Anthony Fisher will talk to his parishioners about George Pell’s conviction. Picture: Hollie Adams

Father Peter Smith, from St Columba’s in Sydney’s inner west, said he would talk candidly on why the Church’s number one priority must be caring for the victims.

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“I really hope my colleagues will also talk about it as personal thing and not just reading a whole lot of prepared statements that have come from the Church because I believe a priest’s role in the parish is a relationship with people,” he told The Sunday Telegraph.

“That, to me, is so threat­ened by a lot of this too. There’s a suspicion around how any priest deals with any parishioner — man, woman and child now.”

George Pell is currently in jail after his conviction last week. Picture: Con Chronis/AFP

Hunters Hill priest Father Kevin Bates will use his homily to discuss the “deep pain” and “disillusion” in his community.

“Many of us feel deep shame and hurt,” Father Smith has written.

“Many are responding with anger and a frustration at the slow pace of change in the Church in the face of the evidence before us.”

Father Greg Morgan from Ryde will talk on the “confronting” news.

“I think we are all deeply wounded and incredibly hurt, even perturbed, by all that has happened these past few days.”

Father Richard Waddell, from Newtown, will say: “Whatever the result of the ­appeal, massive challenges ­remain for the Church.”

Originally published as How Catholic priests will address George Pell sex abuse conviction