Cardinal George Pell dies, aged 81
George Pell was “on top of the world” just hours before his sudden death in Rome, according to his devastated brother.
Victoria
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Cardinal George Pell was “on top of the world” hours before his sudden death, according to his devastated brother.
Speaking to the Herald Sun from his home in Ballarat, David Pell said the Cardinal was in good spirits when he spoke to him ahead of routine hip surgery.
David revealed he was also told his older brother’s operation had gone well, before the Cardinal suffered a fatal cardiac arrest.
Despite efforts to resuscitate the 81-year-old, who had battled a heart condition for many years, Pell died in Rome’s Salvator Mundi International Hospital on Tuesday.
Plans were last night under way to bring Australia’s most senior churchman back home following an autopsy in coming days.
A commemorative service will be held at the Vatican before his body is repatriated to Australia.
Pell will be buried in Sydney following a final requiem mass at St Mary’s, where he served as archbishop for 13 years before moving to the Vatican in 2014.
Pope Francis was among the senior church members to mourn his passing.
The Vatican News reported that Pope Francis sent a telegram of condolences addressed to Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals.
In the message, he said he was he is sad for the news and commended the Cardinal for his work.
He also said he preyed “this faithful servant, who unwaveringly followed his Lord with perseverance even in the hour of trial, may be received into the joy of heaven and receive the reward of eternal peace.”
In the final months of his life, Pell had spent most of his time in the Vatican, where he remained a senior influential figure.
Aside from his work with students and seminarians, Pell had also been conducting media interviews following the death of his friend Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI who died last month.
Sources said Pell was deeply concerned about the successor to Pope Francis and was working behind the scenes to pave the way for the next pope.
While doctrinally Pell and Francis couldn’t have been more different, they established an efficient working relationship centred on deep respect for each other.
It was Francis who appointed Pell Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, in charge of the Vatican finances in 2014, the highest position in the Catholic Church ever held by an Australian.
David Pell said he was “terribly saddened” by the death, and his brother had been unfairly maligned by many critics of his church.
“I don’t think he deserved what he got. He was better appreciated overseas than he was here, particularly in Melbourne,” he said.
Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher said Cardinal Pell’s final years were marked by his “wrongful conviction and imprisonment” but that he bore this with “grace and goodwill”.
“His words of reconciliation with his detractors and concern for survivors increased in authenticity as he steadfastly and successfully maintained his innocence,” Archbishop Fisher said. “It will be for historians to assess his life and impact in the church in Australia and beyond. But it was considerable and will be long-lasting.”
Pell was investigating church corruption when he was accused in 2017 of raping two choirboys while Archbishop of Melbourne in the 1990s.
He spent 405 days in prison after being convicted on four counts of indecent assault and one of sexual penetration of a child over the alleged abuse of two choirboys. He was released after the High Court quashed his convictions, finding the jury who found him guilty was wrong to do so, having not considered the entirety of the evidence at trial.
Anthony Albanese, who is a Catholic, said it was a “difficult day” for many people who share the faith.
“I express my condolences to all those who will be mourning,” the Prime Minister said.
Mr Albanese said authorities would provide assistance to ensure Cardinal Pell’s body was brought back to Australia.
But he did not confirm whether he would attend Cardinal Pell’s funeral, saying the details were yet to be finalised.
Former prime minister John Howard, who provided a character reference for Cardinal Pell following his conviction on child sex offences, doubled down on his support for the religious leader he liked and respected “a lot”.
“His deep and compassionate faith sustained him during more than 400 days in prison for alleged crimes which many, me included, believed should never have been the subject of charges,” Mr Howard said in a statement.
“Cardinal Pell’s trust in Australia’s justice system was vindicated when the High Court of Australia unanimously quashed his conviction.”
Mr Howard also paid tribute to their time spent together at the cricket in Sydney, which Cardinal Pell attended with his sister, and his passion for sport.
Former prime minister Tony Abbott, who was a close confidante of Cardinal Pell, said he was a “saint for our times” whose prison journals should become a classic.
“His incarceration on charges the High Court ultimately scathingly dismissed was a modern form of crucifixion; reputationally at least a kind of living death,” Mr Abbott said in a statement. “In his own way, by dealing so equably with a monstrous allegation, he strikes me as a saint for our times.”
Mr Abbott said he felt a deep sense of loss but was “confident” that Pell’s reputation would grow and he would become an “inspiration for the ages”.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton said Australia had lost an “important intellectual figure” and Cardinal Pell’s would be felt by Catholics around the world.
Mr Dutton acknowledged that the senior figure made “friends and enemies” during his rise within the church and used the opportunity to take aim at Victoria’s Andrews government.
“The fact he spent a year in prison for a conviction that the High Court of Australia unanimously quashed should provide some cause for reflection for the Victorian Labor government and its institutions that led this modern-day political persecution,” he said.
“Pell never lost faith in his God, his country, and in justice – despite the tests and trials he endured in life.”
Premier Daniel Andrews made no comment on the Cardinal’s passing.
But minister for Tourism, Sport, Major Events and Creative Industries Minister Steve Dimopoulos said his thoughts were with “the Cardinal’s family and loved ones” as well as “survivors and victims of child sexual abuse and their families”.
Prior to criminal charges being laid against the Cardinal, in one heavily criticised moment as he fronted the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse in 2016, albeit from a hotel function room in Rome, he acknowledged hearing about cases, saying: “It was a sad story and it wasn’t of much interest to me.”
Sex abuse survivors advocate Ian Whitehead said Pell’s death would help build momentum for child abuse victim’s seeking justice.
Mr Whitehead, a former student of St Patrick’s College in Ballarat where Pell attended, said the news was “highly emotional” and triggering for victim-survivors.
“George Pell’s death has reignited the trauma and reignited the determination of people to get justice,” he said. “It’s an extremely hard day because sex abuse survivors are dealing with cover-ups and betrayal that are just as bad today as 1973.”
Supporters praised the Cardinal for his compassion and care over a decades-long career as a priest.
“During his time as Archbishop of Melbourne, Cardinal Pell inspired a new generation of young Catholics in our city,” one priest said.
“He taught clearly and courageously. He was generous with his time, gentle in conversation and genuinely interested in learning about the young person in front of him.
“He was never too important or too busy for a young priest seeking his advice. He was a beacon of hope and inspiration for Catholics in Melbourne striving to live holiness and remain faithful to the traditional teachings of the church.”
Abuse survivors, parents slam Pell
Sex abuse survivors advocate Ian Whitehead said Pell’s death will help build momentum for child abuse victim’s seeking justice.
Mr Whitehead, who is a former student of St Patrick’s College in Ballarat where Pell attended, said the news is “highly emotional” and triggering for victim survivors.
“George Pell’s death has reignited the trauma and reignited the determination of people to get justice,” he said.
“It’s an extremely hard day because sex abuse survivors are dealing with cover-ups and betrayal that are just as bad today as 1973.
“We must forget his overall legacy.”
Mr Whitehead urged Ballarat locals to continue to place colourful ribbons on gates around the church.
“The ribbon represents a suffering of victims and a reminder to people that the battle is not yet over,” he said.
“The Church is trying to ignore victims. Until they show the proper empathy and proper understanding which they committed to do with Christian values, their future doesn’t look good.
“I doubt that they will be talking of the beautiful children of suicide.
A parent to one of the survivors of paedophile priest Gerald Risdale’s abuse in Mortlake said few in the local church would shed a tear for Pell.
In August 1993, the then-auxiliary bishop Pell was pictured walking side-by-side into court with Gerald Ridsdale.
Ridsdale would go on to become known as Australia’s worst paedophile priest, and will likely die behind bars.
“My reaction this morning was may (Pell) rot in hell,” she said.
“I can’t stand arrogance and he was always arrogant, and I still have in my mind the day he walked into court in Warnambool with Ridsdale, his mate, and denied everything.
“I’m just disgusted they want to bring him back here and bury him.”
A longstanding member of Mortlake’s Catholic Church and parent to two altar boys abused by Ridsdale, said most local church members would be “quite pleased” with the news of Pell’s passing.
Preferring to remain anonymous, the church member said there had been “a terrible lot of hurt in our church”.
“It affected families so much, it’s just beyond belief, and the pain is ongoing,” they said.
“You just feel he knew what was going on and it was always swept under the carpet.”
Following accusations of abuse, Ridsdale was moved between parishes where he went on to abuse move victims.
“Whole generations have been affected, it’s going to take years and years if people even can get over it,” she said.
“They should’ve gone to the police but it’s all too late now … a lot of those families just don’t go to church and a hell of a lot of those boys don’t go to church.
“He’s just got to meet his judgment now.”
Overturned conviction cause for reflection: Dutton
Opposition leader Peter Dutton has called on the Andrews government to reflect on its “modern-day political persecution” of Cardinal Pell.
Mr Dutton acknowledged that Cardinal Pell made “friends and enemies” during his rise within the church but said his death would be felt by Catholics across the world.
“On his passing, the fact he spent a year in prison for a conviction that the High Court of Australia unanimously quashed should provide some cause for reflection for the Victorian Labor Government and its institutions that led this modern-day political persecution,” he said.
“Pell never lost faith in his God, his country, and in justice – despite the tests and trials he endured in life.”
Mr Dutton said Australia had lost an “important intellectual figure” and a towering presence in the Catholic community.
He also paid tribute to Cardinal Pell’s advocacy for Catholic education and independent schools, as well as his work bringing World Youth Day and Pope Benedict XVI to Sydney in 2008.
Prayers for Pell at St Patrick’s
Melbourne’s Archbishop prayed for the forgiveness of Cardinal George Pell’s sins at a lunchtime mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral.
Pell was remembered at a lunchtime service at the East Melbourne church on Wednesday afternoon, just hours after the news of his sudden death sent shockwaves through the world’s Catholic community.
The requiem mass was attended by around 30 people.
Current Melbourne archbishop Peter Comensoli paid tribute to Pell during the mass.
“We acknowledge the sad news of the death of the seventh Archbishop of Melbourne Cardinal George Pell,” Archbishop Comensoli said.
In a prayer to God, Comensoli said: “Grant we pray that he (Pell) may be admitted to your company forever.”
Prayers of the faithful were offered to those who had died.
“Let us pray for the soul of Cardinal George Pell, that his sins may be forgiven, that he may come to eternal life,” Comensoli said.
Later in the mass he added: “I invite you to keep his family, his brother, his nieces and nephews in your prayers.
“We remember him in prayer, thank him for his service, pray for forgiveness of his sins.”
A photo of Pell with the recently deceased Pope Benedict XVI was placed at the front of the cathedral beside two candles.
Pell served as the seventh Archbishop of Melbourne between 1996 and 2001 at St Patrick’s Cathedral.
Death a ‘shock to many’: Albanese
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government would be providing assistance to bring Pell’s body back to Australia from Rome.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are providing assistance to ensure that Cardinal Pell is brought back to Australia and those arrangements are being put in place,” he said.
Mr Albanese said Pell’s death was a “shock to many”.
“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.
Mr Albanese said a service for Pell will take place at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney in the coming days.
Conviction ‘modern crucifixion’: Abbott
Former prime minister Tony Abbott said Pell’s overturned conviction was a “modern form of crucifixion”.
“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,” he said in a statement.
“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 the end, like Julian of Norwich, his conclusion in faith was that all would be well and all manner of things would be well.
“In his own way, by dealing so equably with a monstrous allegation, he strikes me as a saint for our times.”
Mr Abbott said “Australia has lost a great son” and the church “has lost a great leader”.
“The Cardinal was a committed defender of Catholic orthodoxy and a staunch advocate for the virtues of Western Civilisation,” he said.
“As an ecclesiastical and cultural conservative, he attracted praise and blame from all the expected quarters.
“In fact, he was a very pastoral priest who well understood the human stain and was more than capable of empathising with sinners while still counselling against sin.”
Mr Abbott said he was “confident” that Pell’s reputation “will grow and grow” and that “he will become an inspiration for the ages.”
Howard remembers ‘sport lover’ Pell
Former prime minister John Howard detailed his fond memories of Pell.
“A great sports lover, having been an accomplished Australian Rules player, he then embraced more widely playing rugby codes in Sydney,” he said.
“Until recent years he and his late sister were regulars during the traditional New Year Cricket Test in Sydney.
“We often spent time together at the cricket discussing all manner of issues.”
Mr Howard said he “liked and respected” the Cardinal.
“He was a strong and determined religious leader. His episcopal motto was ‘be not afraid’. In the senior roles he held in the church, he displayed consistent courage in expressing Christian views in the public space.
“His deep and compassionate faith sustained him during more than 400 days in prison for alleged crimes which many, myself included, believed should never have been the subject of crimes.
“His passing is a great loss to the intellectual and spiritual life of our country.”
Pell’s travels in final months
It’s understood Pell travelled in the last six months of his life, visiting an international Catholic boarding school for boys in France.
In a Facebook post, Chavagnes International College said he visited their school in June last year.
“He spent a happy holiday week at the college this June among friends: a great barbecue or two, beautiful weather, visits to the sights of the Vendée, Confirmations, Pontifical Mass and a beautiful concert,” it read.
“We also enjoyed his talks and homilies.
“A great and holy man who suffered much, loved much, and understood much. We need more leaders like him. May he rest in peace.”
Pell ‘lively’ pre-surgery: Vatican correspondent
EWTN News Vatican correspondent Colm Flynn spoke to Pell a few days ago.
Mr Flynn said Pell mentioned the surgery and joked that he was “suffering in silence”.
“He was in good form, he was lively,” he told 3AW.
“This has come as a surprise for me … and everyone who knew him around the Vatican.”
Mr Flynn said Pell’s private secretary Joseph Hamilton confirmed he died of a suspected cardiac arrest in a Rome hospital.
For the BBC, I asked Cardinal George Pell about his legacy and regrets. pic.twitter.com/ouKbyomYlP
— Colm Flynn (@colmflynnire) January 10, 2023
Former senator Derryn Hinch said he wished Pell had “stayed alive for another 10 years of well deserved public opprobrium”.
Meanwhile, former treasurer Joe Hockey said the Cardinal was “a man of deep faith and great integrity”.
“He was blessed with fortitude, courage, determination and intellect,” he said.
“He was proudly Australian.”
Controversial former MP Bernie Finn said he was “a martyr”.
“Vale Cardinal George Pell. A great churchman. A great Australian. A great human being. A martyr,” he said.
“May the angels and the saints take him to his eternal reward with God.
“May he rest in peace.”
Archbishop pays tribute to ‘influential’ Pell
Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli said he was “quite sad and surprised” when hearing Pell, his close friend of 12 years, had died.
“His dying was unexpected,” he said.
“He (Pell) was a really important mentor, a kind of father figure.”
Comensoli said Pell was being seen by doctors about his recent hip surgery when he suffered heart problems.
“It was during that moment he had difficulty with his heart and that led to his death, after they tried to resuscitate him,” he said.
When asked about Pell’s legacy, Comensoli described him as “one of the great churchman of Australia”.
“He has been a forthright defender of the faith,” Comensoli said.
“A great Gospel man. There has not probably been a church man in Australia like the Cardinal.”
Flags outside St Patrick’s Cathedral were placed at half mast on Wednesday in respect of the former Archbishop of Melbourne.
Comensoli‘s afternoon press conference was briefly interrupted by a passer-by who yelled: “F--- George Pell”.
Pell’s body will undergo an autopsy in Rome in coming days.
A commemorative service will be held at the Vatican before his body is expected to be repatriated to Australia.
A final requiem mass will be held at St Mary’s in Sydney, where he will be buried.
Originally published as Cardinal George Pell dies, aged 81
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