Had Pell not become archbishop of Melbourne, and later cardinal-archbishop of Sydney, it’s a reasonable bet that Australian Catholicism today would resemble the Irish Church from which the Church Down Under largely descends: scandal-ridden, demoralized, intellectually shoddy, and somewhere out on the far periphery of the New Evangelization.
Australian Cardinal George Pell delivers a statement in the Vatican press office June 29, 2017. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
Msgr. Thomas A. Whelan, my pastor when I was growing up in Baltimore, was a striking character: Princeton friend of F. Scott Fitzgerald; former Wall Street broker; high-ranking Army chaplain in World War II; world traveler; founding rector of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. The latter two roles led to some creative thinking about arranging “coverage” at the cathedral during the summer, when he could be found abroad: one by one and year by year, Msgr. Whelan brought to Baltimore newly-ordained Australian priests who had studied in Rome, wanted to visit the U.S., and could use some money.
And so, precisely fifty years ago this month, a tall, gangly Aussie named George Pell entered my life. By the end of August 1967 he had become a fast friend of my family. Little did he nor I know that the next half-century would lead us into the same foxholes in various ecclesiastical battles; or to a shared friendship with a Polish priest, pope, and saint; or into synods, consistories, papal elections, and other adventures. We’re both a little slower and a little heavier than we were in the summer of ’67, when, if memory serves, I helped introduce the future cardinal to Frisbee at the beach. But the friendship is even closer and it is one of the great blessings of my life.
That summer, Father Pell was heading for doctoral studies in history at Oxford after ordination in Rome from the Pontifical Urban University (horsemeat was a staple on the menu in his day). His intellectual gifts might have marked him out for a scholarly career. But Providence (and John Paul II) had other plans, and rather than teaching history full-time, George Pell made history, becoming the defining figure of 21st-century Catholicism in Australia.
Had Pell not become archbishop of Melbourne, and later cardinal-archbishop of Sydney, it’s a reasonable bet that Australian Catholicism today would resemble the Irish Church from which the Church Down Under largely descends: scandal-ridden, demoralized, intellectually shoddy, and somewhere out on the far periphery of the New Evangelization. Thanks to Pell’s courage in facing-down the Australian forces of Catholic Lite, the Church in Oz today has a fighting chance.
Cardinal Pell’s accomplishment has not been cost-free. Australia is a contact-sport country, and that national tendency to hit hard extends to both the Aussie media and to intra-ecclesiastical life. George Pell’s enemies, and their media lapdogs, have not caviled to lie about him for decades. Perhaps the most absurd charge was that this man, whose sartorial style rings up “Salvation Army Thrift Shop,” kept a house full of Church finery to satisfy his vanity. As it happens (and as I wrote at the time), I had just stayed in the cardinal’s house when this nonsense appeared; I hadn’t seen a vestment anywhere, but had noted thousands of books and the current issues of every major opinion journal in the English-speaking world.
More recently, the calumnies have become much darker, as the man who designed and implemented the Australian Church’s first vigorous response to the sexual abuse of the young has been charged with being an abuser. His friends are confident that the charges, like other fanciful allegations the cardinal has consistently denied and of which he has been exonerated, will be shown to be gross falsehoods – not least because we believe Pell is telling the truth when he flatly and forcefully denies the current accusations.
There is a new twist to this dirty business, however. Since 2014, Cardinal Pell has been responsible for draining the Vatican financial swamp of corruptions that had become epidemic, ingrained, and virtually institutionalized. Given the stakes and the sleaziness involved, it would not be surprising to learn that some who would be most adversely effected by Pell’s success in Vatican financial reform may have been generating false accusations now in play in the Australian judicial system. Australia, it seems, is not the only place where hardball is played, and in very unsavory forms.
Cardinal George Pell is a big man in every sense of the word and his stamina under assault is entirely admirable. Its deepest root, however, is not his native combativeness but Pell’s faith. Its solidity, and the courage to which that rock-solid faith gives rise, may be what aggravates his foes the most.
It’s also what inspires his legion of friends, among whom I am honored to number myself – for fifty years and counting.
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Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter’s Square, Oct. 5, 2016. / Daniel Ibanez/CNA.
Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Mar 13, 2023 / 13:15 pm (CNA).
Today marks the 10th anniversary of the election of Pope Francis as the 265th successor of St. Peter. Here is a timeline of key events during his papacy:
2013
March 13 — About two weeks after Pope Benedict XVI steps down from the papacy, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio is elected pope. He takes the papal name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi and proclaims from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica: “Let us begin this journey, the bishop and people, this journey of the Church of Rome, which presides in charity over all the Churches, a journey of brotherhood in love, of mutual trust. Let us always pray for one another.”
March 14 — The day after he begins his pontificate, Pope Francis returns to his hotel to personally pay his hotel bill and collect his luggage.
July 8 — Pope Francis visits Italy’s island of Lampedusa and meets with a group of 50 migrants, most of whom are young men from Somalia and Eritrea. The island, which is about 200 miles off the coast of Tunisia, is a common entry point for migrants who flee parts of Africa and the Middle East to enter Europe. This is the pope’s first pastoral visit outside of Rome and sets the stage for making reaching out to the peripheries a significant focus.
Pope Francis gives the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter’s Square on Oct. 2, 2013. . Elise Harris/CNA.
July 23–28 — Pope Francis visits Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to participate in World Youth Day 2013. More than 3 million people from around the world attend the event.
July 29 — On the return flight from Brazil, Pope Francis gives his first papal news conference and sparks controversy by saying “if a person is gay and seeks God and has goodwill, who am I to judge?” The phrase is prompted by a reporter asking the pope a question about priests who have homosexual attraction.
Nov. 24 — Pope Francis publishes his first apostolic exhortation Evangelii gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel). The document illustrates the pope’s vision for how to approach evangelization in the modern world.
2014
Feb. 22 — Pope Francis holds his first papal consistory to appoint 19 new cardinals, including ones from countries in the developing world that have never previously been represented in the College of Cardinals, such as Haiti.
March 22 — Pope Francis creates the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. The commission works to protect the dignity of minors and vulnerable adults, such as the victims of sexual abuse.
Pope Francis greets pilgrims during his general audience on Nov. 29, 2014. Bohumil Petrik/CNA.
Oct. 5 — The Synod on the Family begins. The bishops discuss a variety of concerns, including single-parent homes, cohabitation, homosexual adoption of children, and interreligious marriages.
Dec. 6 — After facing some pushback for his efforts to reform the Roman Curia, Pope Francis discusses his opinion in an interview with La Nacion, an Argentine news outlet: “Resistance is now evident. And that is a good sign for me, getting the resistance out into the open, no stealthy mumbling when there is disagreement. It’s healthy to get things out into the open, it’s very healthy.”
2015
Jan. 18 — To conclude a trip to Asia, Pope Francis celebrates Mass in Manila, Philippines. Approximately 6 million to 7 million people attend the record-setting Mass, despite heavy rain.
March 23 — Pope Francis visits Naples, Italy, to show the Church’s commitment to helping the fight against corruption and organized crime in the city.
May 24 — To emphasize the Church’s mission to combat global warming and care for the environment, Pope Francis publishes the encyclical Laudato si’, which urges people to take care of the environment and encourages political action to address climate problems.
Pope Francis at a Wednesday general audience in St. Peter’s Square on June 17, 2015. Bohumil Petrik.
Sept. 19–22 — Pope Francis visits Cuba and meets with Fidel Castro in the first papal visit to the country since Pope John Paul II in 1998. During his homily, Francis discusses the dignity of the human person: “Being a Christian entails promoting the dignity of our brothers and sisters, fighting for it, living for it.”
Sept. 22–27 — After departing from Cuba, Pope Francis makes his first papal visit to the United States. In Washington, D.C., he speaks to a joint session of Congress, in which he urges lawmakers to work toward promoting the common good, and canonizes the Franciscan missionary St. Junípero Serra. He also attends the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, which focuses on celebrating the gift of the family.
Oct. 4 — Pope Francis begins the second Synod on the Family to address issues within the modern family, such as single-parent homes, cohabitation, poverty, and abuse.
Oct. 18 — The pope canonizes St. Louis Martin and St. Marie-Azélie “Zelie” Guérin. The married couple were parents to five nuns, including St. Therese of Lisieux. They are the first married couple to be canonized together.
Dec. 8 — Pope Francis’ Jubilee Year of Mercy begins. The year focuses on God’s mercy and forgiveness and people’s redemption from sin. The pope delegates certain priests in each diocese to be Missionaries of Mercy who have the authority to forgive sins that are usually reserved for the Holy See.
2016
March 19 — Pope Francis publishes the apostolic exhortation Amoris laetitia, which discusses a wide variety of issues facing the modern family based on discussions from the two synods on the family. The pope garners significant controversy from within the Church for comments he makes in Chapter 8 about Communion for the divorced and remarried.
April 16 — After visiting refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos, Pope Francis allows three Muslim refugee families to join him on his flight back to Rome. He says the move was not a political statement.
Pope Francis at the General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, Feb. 24, 2016. Daniel Ibanez/CNA.
July 26–31 — Pope Francis visits Krakow, Poland, as part of the World Youth Day festivities. About 3 million young Catholic pilgrims from around the world attend.
Sept. 4 — The pope canonizes St. Teresa of Calcutta, who is also known as Mother Teresa. The saint, a nun from Albania, dedicated her life to missionary and charity work, primarily in India.
Sept. 30–Oct. 2 — Pope Francis visits Georgia and Azerbaijan on his 16th trip outside of Rome since the start of his papacy. His trip focuses on Catholic relations with Orthodox Christians and Muslims.
Oct. 4 — Pope Francis makes a surprise visit to Amatrice, Italy, to pray for the victims of an earthquake in central Italy that killed nearly 300 people.
2017
May 12–13 — In another papal trip, Francis travels to Fatima, Portugal, to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. May 13 marks the 100th anniversary of the first Marian apparition to three children in the city.
July 11 — Pope Francis adds another category of Christian life suitable for the consideration of sainthood: “offering of life.” The category is distinct from martyrdom, which only applies to someone who is killed for his or her faith. The new category applies to those who died prematurely through an offering of their life to God and neighbor.
Pope Francis greets a participant in the World Day of the Poor in Rome, Nov. 16, 2017. L’Osservatore Romano.
Nov. 19 — On the first-ever World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis eats lunch with 4,000 poor and people in need in Rome.
Nov. 27–Dec. 2 — In another trip to Asia, Pope Francis travels to Myanmar and Bangladesh. He visits landmarks and meets with government officials, Catholic clergy, and Buddhist monks. He also preaches the Gospel and promotes peace in the region.
2018
Jan. 15–21 — The pope takes another trip to Latin America, this time visiting Chile and Peru. The pontiff meets with government officials and members of the clergy while urging the faithful to remain close to the clergy and reject secularism. The Chilean visit leads to controversy over Chilean clergy sex abuse scandals.
Aug. 2 — The Vatican formally revises No. 2267 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which concerns the death penalty. The previous text suggested the death penalty could be permissible in certain circumstances, but the revision states that the death penalty is “inadmissible.”
Aug. 25 — Archbishop Carlo Viganò, former papal nuncio to the United States, publishes an 11-page letter calling for the resignation of Pope Francis and accusing him and other Vatican officials of covering up sexual abuse including allegations against former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. The pope initially does not directly respond to the letter, but nine months after its publication he denies having prior knowledge about McCarrick’s conduct.
Aug. 25–26 — Pope Francis visits Dublin, Ireland, to attend the World Meeting of Families. The theme is “the Gospel of family, joy for the world.”
Pope Francis at the 2018 World Meeting of Families in Ireland. . Daniel Ibanez/CNA.
Oct. 3–28 — The Synod on Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment takes place. The synod focuses on best practices to teach the faith to young people and to help them discern God’s will.
2019
Jan. 22–27 — The third World Youth Day during Pope Francis’ pontificate takes place during these six days in Panama City, Panama. Young Catholics from around the world gather for the event, with approximately 3 million people in attendance.
Feb. 4 — Pope Francis signs a joint document in with Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, the grand imam of Al-Azhar, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, titled the “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together.” The document focuses on people of different faiths uniting together to live peacefully and advance a culture of mutual respect.
Pope Francis and Ahmed el-Tayeb, grand imam of al-Azhar, signed a joint declaration on human fraternity during an interreligious meeting in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Feb. 4, 2019. Vatican Media.
Feb. 21–24 — The Meeting on the Protection of Minors in the Church, which is labeled the Vatican Sexual Abuse Summit, takes place. The meeting focuses on sexual abuse scandals in the Church and emphasizes responsibility, accountability, and transparency.
Oct. 6–27 — The Church holds the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon region, which is also known as the Amazon Synod. The synod is meant to present ways in which the Church can better evangelize the Amazon region but leads to controversy when carved images of a pregnant Amazonian woman, referred to by the pope as Pachamama, are used in several events and displayed in a basilica near the Vatican.
Oct. 13 — St. John Henry Newman, an Anglican convert to Catholicism and a cardinal, is canonized by Pope Francis. Newman’s writings inspired Catholic student associations at nonreligious colleges and universities in the United States and other countries.
2020
March 15 — Pope Francis takes a walking pilgrimage in Rome to the chapel of the crucifix and prays for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. The crucifix was carried through Rome during the plague of 1522.
March 27 — Pope Francis gives an extraordinary Urbi et Orbi blessing in an empty and rain-covered St. Peter’s Square, praying for the world during the coronavirus pandemic.
Pope Francis venerates the miraculous crucifix of San Marcello al Corso in St. Peter’s Square during his Urbi et Orbi blessing, March 27, 2020. Vatican Media.
2021
March 5–8 — In his first papal trip since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Francis becomes the first pope to visit Iraq. On his trip, he signs a joint statement with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani condemning extremism and promoting peace.
July 3 — Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, who was elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Francis, is indicted in a Vatican court for embezzlement, money laundering, and other crimes. The pope gives approval for the indictment.
July 4 — Pope Francis undergoes colon surgery for diverticulitis, a common condition in older people. The Vatican releases a statement that assures the pope “reacted well” to the surgery. Francis is released from the hospital after 10 days.
July 16 — Pope Francis issues a motu proprio titled Traditionis custodes. The document imposes heavy restrictions on the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass.
Dec. 2–6 — The pope travels to Cyprus and Greece. The trip includes another visit to the Greek island of Lesbos to meet with migrants.
Pope Francis greets His Beatitude Ieronymos II in Athens, Greece on Dec. 5, 2021. Vatican Media
2022
Jan. 11 — Pope Francis makes a surprise visit to a record store in Rome called StereoSound. The pope, who has an affinity for classical music, blesses the newly renovated store.
March 19 — The pope promulgates Praedicate evangelium, which reforms the Roman Curia. The reforms emphasize evangelization and establish more opportunities for the laity to be in leadership positions.
May 5 — Pope Francis is seen in a wheelchair for the first time in public and begins to use one more frequently. The pope has been suffering from knee problems for months.
Pope Francis greeted the crowd in a wheelchair at the end of his general audience on Aug. 3, 2022. Daniel Ibanez/CNA
July 24–30 — In his first papal visit to Canada, Pope Francis apologizes for the harsh treatment of the indigenous Canadians, saying many Christians and members of the Catholic Church were complicit.
2023
Jan. 31–Feb. 5 — Pope Francis travels to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. During his visit, the pope condemns political violence in the countries and promotes peace. He also participates in an ecumenical prayer service with Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Moderator of the Church of Scotland Iain Greenshields.
Vatican City, May 30, 2017 / 04:53 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis on Tuesday urged priests and bishops not to be afraid to “step down completely” from their assignment when they are called to a new duty.
“All shepherds have to step down. There comes a moment where the Lord says ‘go to another place, come here, go there, come to me.’ And it’s one of the steps that a shepherd must take,” he said during his homily May 30 at the chapel of the Vatican’s Santa Marta residence.
The shepherd must “be prepared to step down in the correct way, not still hanging on to his position,” he said.
In the first reading of the Mass, St. Paul addresses the Church leaders in Ephesus. The Pope said Paul left the Ephesus to go to Jerusalem, following the Holy Spirit’s call.
The Pope highlighted what he called the three “apostolic attitudes” demonstrated by St. Paul during a council with the priests of Ephesus, and he urged the faithful to pray that priests, bishops, and the Pope would live their lives accordingly.
The first attitude involves never turning back, and guiding the Church without compromise.
The second is obedience to the Spirit and the recognition that the life of a shepherd is a “journey,” always open to the voice of God.
St. Paul left Ephesus “because he had nothing of his own, he had not wrongly taken control of his sheep. He had served them … this is a shepherd without compromises who is now a shepherd on a journey.”
The third attitude involves the acknowledgement that “I am not the center of history. Whether it’s large history or small history, I am not the center, I am a servant.”
“With this most beautiful example, let us pray for our shepherds, for our parish priests, our bishops,” Pope Francis exhorted. “Let us pray for our shepherds.”
Pope Francis, pictured on July 30, 2016. / Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk.
Vatican City, Nov 2, 2021 / 12:00 pm (CNA).
The world is facing ecological, social, and healthcare crises, but it is vital to remember that “crises are also windows of opportu… […]
17 Comments
I posted this comment some days ago with the Nat Cath Reg: “When will it end? Cardinal Pell is one of the few Cardinals who agree submitting the Dubia has merit. Also 2016, “Pell pointed out that ‘those emphasising ‘the primacy of conscience’ only seemed to apply it to sexual morality and questions around the sanctity of life,’ the Catholic Herald reported.” Adding “‘The idea that you can somehow discern that moral truths should not be followed or should not be recognised [is] absurd’. Along with Cardinal Burke, Pell was recently removed from the Congregation for Divine Worship, the Vatican liturgy office” (LifeSite). We can’t assume the Vatican had a covert connection with the revival of these charges [long ago repudiated by Pell] by the Australian courts. However from my perspective Cardinal Pell has held the doctrinal line along with Cardinals Burke, Caffarra and co. And his embarrassment hurts their cause. It may also end with his removal. We seem to have a growing collection of dismissed prelates [the latest Cardinal Mueller Prefect of the CDF] who oppose the premises of AL and what’s occurring in National Bishops Conferences. This seems a prelude. Leaving the source or sources to the readers own devises that those who openly oppose the Pontiff’s policy of scriptural revision and redirecting the Church will meet with continued difficulties. There is a pattern. And cause for courage, support from Laity and clergy. But then is it not expected of us”. Author Weigel has similar suspicions that I expressed then, “We can’t assume the Vatican had a covert connection with the revival of these charges”. If someone with far more knowledge of Vatican machinations than I raises the question, then perhaps we can consider that possibility.
I have long admired Pell, and hope he is vindicated. But this piece does not even touch on the question of the accusers. Much like the Fr. Maciel case, how is one to know the truth here? I always wonder why lie detector tests, though fallible, are not administered.
No, my point is the reverse. So many people defended him, and he was a liar and a fake. Neuhaus lost a huge amount of credibility over the scandal, rightly so. Likewise JPII.
My thanks to Mr. Weigel for his gallant public support of his embattled friend. I only have one question. Does Mr. Weigel have any friends which, are say, janitors or plumbers?
I wish to thank Mr George Weigel for his wonderful article on our dear Cardinal Pell. I am totally convinced he is innocent as do many Australian Catholics. He is a wonderful example to all of us but he is carrying a heavy cross. In the end I believe he will be exonerated. Hopefully one day we will have him back in Aus.
The problem of being a character witness for a friend is that it is subjective. Extremely difficult to be objective to a friend. It might end the relationship. Others who have known and worked closer to Pell have a different take.
The merits of his case will not be determined on how many friends think he is a nice guy but did he or did he not do not nice things to others, especially young persons, and whether or not he covered for others who did not do nice things to young people. As Joe Friday said, “Just the facts, ma’am!” Hopefully, a court of law will deliver a more objective accounting of Pell.
Interesting the Weigh throws in this assertion: There is a new twist to this dirty business, however. Since 2014, Cardinal Pell has been responsible for draining the Vatican financial swamp of corruptions…
GW doesn’t provide any hard core facts other than his personal assertion.
I recall years ago when the clerical sex abuse scandal was emerging publicly, GW dismissed it as an American thing without any factual data. Did GW ever offer a mea culpa for this egregious diversion?
Considering that Catholics worldwide were in shock and disbelief when the priest sex scandal first gained credibility, Cardinal Pell’s initial response was no different than myself and every Catholic I know. Even Pope John Paul II, having first-hand knowledge of how Nazis and Communists lied about priests, was slow to believe there was truth behind the scandals. Yes, many believed the scandal was an “American thing,” so please don’t single out Pell.
Calm down. Have you studied the trial? Are you seriously proposing that the same biased legal system from which George Cardinal Pell got convicted based sympathy for an accuser and not evidence; which offer and objective judgment? This is a test for the future of the Australian Judiciary system and its children.
The list of cardinals being dismissed/terminated is growing day by day – one thing is certain- all of these good men are clinging to the faith and opposing heresy – is there any doubt as to who the real followers of Christ are?
God bless C. Burke, Sarah, Mueller, 3 CDF priests who were dismissed by PF, and now, C. Pell. Strange how heretics like James Martin, Capozzi (recent sex scandal), Paglia, Ricca, Daneels, Schonborn, Kasper, Bruno Forte, Badisseri and get plum positions and enjoy PF’s favor !
We pray for the godly men who are suffering like Christ said his followers would suffer. May God reward their faithfulness.
You should not lump these people in with cardinal pell. Cardianl peel has been hounded by the left in Australia , particularly the national broadcaster , ABC ever since he took over the archbishopric of Sydney. For them he is a symbol of the church militant. He has been vociferously opposed to the current campaign for same sex marriage , as well as every other fashionable left libertarian cause. The charges stem from accusations aired on the ABC, which could hardly be called criminal, and a lurid book written by one of their journalists, a weird combination of hearsay and her summation of his character, and it is thought by many to be a fiction. We are supposed to believe while the cardinal was supposed to be a serial pedophile , he also instituted the first and only inquiry and compensatory mechanism to deal with child sex abuse. At present we don’t even know the actual charges are. The police spent a whole year investigating this. It was sent to the Victorian public prosecutor TWICE and sent back with no recommendation to charge. The police have charged him, many believe, to simply save face. Pell has been supported by a large number of prominent non Catholic people ,including an prime minister , the leading indigenous politician, the Victorian law council and an ex ambassador to Italy who is fierce critic of the church. In short, it is a total fit up.
[Quote] Inigo
JULY 6, 2017 AT 9:08 AM
My thanks to Mr. Weigel for his gallant public support of his embattled friend. I only have one question. Does Mr. Weigel have any friends which, are say, janitors or plumbers? [End Quote]
Today we lost a much loved servant of Jesus in Fr Bob Maguire.
Fr Bob’s comment on Cardinal Pell’s opinion of him back in 2011:
” “George Pell has declared those of us Vatican II-ists to be ‘Cafeteria Catholics’ whereas he and his lot are authentic Catholics,” Father Maguire said at the time.
Mr Weigel has painted Melbourne as a city of godless Catholic haters, yet one who served in the character and model of Jesus the one who walked among us is revered and treasured by the people of Melbourne.
Search out Fr Bob Maguire on Twitter and you will read post after post from the NSW Conservative Premier to the comedians and self confessed atheists…all in prais and loving affirmation of Fr Bob and his walk of authentic spirituality. Mr Weigel you seemingly judge Melbourne and the people of Victoria from a platform of self serving narrative that knows nothing of the street level day to day service of men and women like Fr Bob. They are many and rich is the tapestry they weave in thought word prayer and deed.
John Safran:
“What was Father Bob like privately? Somehow kinder and funnier than he was publicly,” Safran said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.
“We somehow ‘fought’ nonstop from the moment the record button was pressed in 2004, through documentaries, radio shows and books, right through to filming this year, but we never once fought.”
Safran said he once asked Maguire how he remained kind to people who were not always pleasant towards him, to which he replied: “You don’t have to like people to love them.
“I never thought Bob would ever stop making me laugh, but with the sad news of today, he finally has,” Safran said.
——
Chris Minns
@ChrisMinnsMP
·
7h
Our nation has just lost a hero.
The people’s priest.
A social justice warrior.
And a man who dedicated his life to faith and standing up for those most vulnerable.
Vale Father Bob Maguire.
———
Peter Baker
@_PB_photography
·
1h
Father Bob, ‘patron of the unloved and the unlovely…’ Thanks for the beautiful words on #TheDrum
@vanbadham
.
Vale Father Bob Maguire, a proper great Australian. #FatherBob
[Quote] Inigo
JULY 6, 2017 AT 9:08 AM
My thanks to Mr. Weigel for his gallant public support of his embattled friend. I only have one question. Does Mr. Weigel have any friends which, are say, janitors or plumbers? [End Quote]
Today we lost a much loved servant of Jesus in Fr Bob Maguire.
Fr Bob’s comment on Cardinal Pell’s opinion of him back in 2011:
” “George Pell has declared those of us Vatican II-ists to be ‘Cafeteria Catholics’ whereas he and his lot are authentic Catholics,” Father Maguire said at the time.
Mr Weigel has painted Melbourne as a city of godless Catholic haters, yet one who served in the character and model of Jesus the one who walked among us is revered and treasured by the people of Melbourne.
Search out Fr Bob Maguire on Twitter and you will read post after post from the NSW Conservative Premier to the comedians and self confessed atheists…all in prais and loving affirmation of Fr Bob and his walk of authentic spirituality. Mr Weigel you seemingly judge Melbourne and the people of Victoria from a platform of self serving narrative that knows nothing of the street level day to day service of men and women like Fr Bob. They are many and rich is the tapestry they weave in thought word prayer and deed.
John Safran:
“What was Father Bob like privately? Somehow kinder and funnier than he was publicly,” Safran said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.
“We somehow ‘fought’ nonstop from the moment the record button was pressed in 2004, through documentaries, radio shows and books, right through to filming this year, but we never once fought.”
Safran said he once asked Maguire how he remained kind to people who were not always pleasant towards him, to which he replied: “You don’t have to like people to love them.
“I never thought Bob would ever stop making me laugh, but with the sad news of today, he finally has,” Safran said.
——
Chris Minns
@ChrisMinnsMP
·
7h
Our nation has just lost a hero.
The people’s priest.
A social justice warrior.
And a man who dedicated his life to faith and standing up for those most vulnerable.
Vale Father Bob Maguire.
———
Peter Baker
@_PB_photography
·
1h
Father Bob, ‘patron of the unloved and the unlovely…’ Thanks for the beautiful words on #TheDrum
@vanbadham
.
Vale Father Bob Maguire, a proper great Australian. #FatherBob
I posted this comment some days ago with the Nat Cath Reg: “When will it end? Cardinal Pell is one of the few Cardinals who agree submitting the Dubia has merit. Also 2016, “Pell pointed out that ‘those emphasising ‘the primacy of conscience’ only seemed to apply it to sexual morality and questions around the sanctity of life,’ the Catholic Herald reported.” Adding “‘The idea that you can somehow discern that moral truths should not be followed or should not be recognised [is] absurd’. Along with Cardinal Burke, Pell was recently removed from the Congregation for Divine Worship, the Vatican liturgy office” (LifeSite). We can’t assume the Vatican had a covert connection with the revival of these charges [long ago repudiated by Pell] by the Australian courts. However from my perspective Cardinal Pell has held the doctrinal line along with Cardinals Burke, Caffarra and co. And his embarrassment hurts their cause. It may also end with his removal. We seem to have a growing collection of dismissed prelates [the latest Cardinal Mueller Prefect of the CDF] who oppose the premises of AL and what’s occurring in National Bishops Conferences. This seems a prelude. Leaving the source or sources to the readers own devises that those who openly oppose the Pontiff’s policy of scriptural revision and redirecting the Church will meet with continued difficulties. There is a pattern. And cause for courage, support from Laity and clergy. But then is it not expected of us”. Author Weigel has similar suspicions that I expressed then, “We can’t assume the Vatican had a covert connection with the revival of these charges”. If someone with far more knowledge of Vatican machinations than I raises the question, then perhaps we can consider that possibility.
Yup. Spot on, Fr Morello.
The bishop of Rome plays for keeps.
I have long admired Pell, and hope he is vindicated. But this piece does not even touch on the question of the accusers. Much like the Fr. Maciel case, how is one to know the truth here? I always wonder why lie detector tests, though fallible, are not administered.
You still question the Maciel case?
No, my point is the reverse. So many people defended him, and he was a liar and a fake. Neuhaus lost a huge amount of credibility over the scandal, rightly so. Likewise JPII.
Lie detectors are not admissible evidence in Australian courts.
My thanks to Mr. Weigel for his gallant public support of his embattled friend. I only have one question. Does Mr. Weigel have any friends which, are say, janitors or plumbers?
I wish to thank Mr George Weigel for his wonderful article on our dear Cardinal Pell. I am totally convinced he is innocent as do many Australian Catholics. He is a wonderful example to all of us but he is carrying a heavy cross. In the end I believe he will be exonerated. Hopefully one day we will have him back in Aus.
The problem of being a character witness for a friend is that it is subjective. Extremely difficult to be objective to a friend. It might end the relationship. Others who have known and worked closer to Pell have a different take.
The merits of his case will not be determined on how many friends think he is a nice guy but did he or did he not do not nice things to others, especially young persons, and whether or not he covered for others who did not do nice things to young people. As Joe Friday said, “Just the facts, ma’am!” Hopefully, a court of law will deliver a more objective accounting of Pell.
Interesting the Weigh throws in this assertion: There is a new twist to this dirty business, however. Since 2014, Cardinal Pell has been responsible for draining the Vatican financial swamp of corruptions…
GW doesn’t provide any hard core facts other than his personal assertion.
I recall years ago when the clerical sex abuse scandal was emerging publicly, GW dismissed it as an American thing without any factual data. Did GW ever offer a mea culpa for this egregious diversion?
Considering that Catholics worldwide were in shock and disbelief when the priest sex scandal first gained credibility, Cardinal Pell’s initial response was no different than myself and every Catholic I know. Even Pope John Paul II, having first-hand knowledge of how Nazis and Communists lied about priests, was slow to believe there was truth behind the scandals. Yes, many believed the scandal was an “American thing,” so please don’t single out Pell.
Calm down. Have you studied the trial? Are you seriously proposing that the same biased legal system from which George Cardinal Pell got convicted based sympathy for an accuser and not evidence; which offer and objective judgment? This is a test for the future of the Australian Judiciary system and its children.
The list of cardinals being dismissed/terminated is growing day by day – one thing is certain- all of these good men are clinging to the faith and opposing heresy – is there any doubt as to who the real followers of Christ are?
God bless C. Burke, Sarah, Mueller, 3 CDF priests who were dismissed by PF, and now, C. Pell. Strange how heretics like James Martin, Capozzi (recent sex scandal), Paglia, Ricca, Daneels, Schonborn, Kasper, Bruno Forte, Badisseri and get plum positions and enjoy PF’s favor !
We pray for the godly men who are suffering like Christ said his followers would suffer. May God reward their faithfulness.
You should not lump these people in with cardinal pell. Cardianl peel has been hounded by the left in Australia , particularly the national broadcaster , ABC ever since he took over the archbishopric of Sydney. For them he is a symbol of the church militant. He has been vociferously opposed to the current campaign for same sex marriage , as well as every other fashionable left libertarian cause. The charges stem from accusations aired on the ABC, which could hardly be called criminal, and a lurid book written by one of their journalists, a weird combination of hearsay and her summation of his character, and it is thought by many to be a fiction. We are supposed to believe while the cardinal was supposed to be a serial pedophile , he also instituted the first and only inquiry and compensatory mechanism to deal with child sex abuse. At present we don’t even know the actual charges are. The police spent a whole year investigating this. It was sent to the Victorian public prosecutor TWICE and sent back with no recommendation to charge. The police have charged him, many believe, to simply save face. Pell has been supported by a large number of prominent non Catholic people ,including an prime minister , the leading indigenous politician, the Victorian law council and an ex ambassador to Italy who is fierce critic of the church. In short, it is a total fit up.
I meant to write EX prime minister (in fact 2.).
Angela, the leading indigenous politician? That would be Patrick Dodson i presume. I have not heard him comment on the case.
[Quote] Inigo
JULY 6, 2017 AT 9:08 AM
My thanks to Mr. Weigel for his gallant public support of his embattled friend. I only have one question. Does Mr. Weigel have any friends which, are say, janitors or plumbers? [End Quote]
Today we lost a much loved servant of Jesus in Fr Bob Maguire.
Fr Bob’s comment on Cardinal Pell’s opinion of him back in 2011:
” “George Pell has declared those of us Vatican II-ists to be ‘Cafeteria Catholics’ whereas he and his lot are authentic Catholics,” Father Maguire said at the time.
Mr Weigel has painted Melbourne as a city of godless Catholic haters, yet one who served in the character and model of Jesus the one who walked among us is revered and treasured by the people of Melbourne.
Search out Fr Bob Maguire on Twitter and you will read post after post from the NSW Conservative Premier to the comedians and self confessed atheists…all in prais and loving affirmation of Fr Bob and his walk of authentic spirituality. Mr Weigel you seemingly judge Melbourne and the people of Victoria from a platform of self serving narrative that knows nothing of the street level day to day service of men and women like Fr Bob. They are many and rich is the tapestry they weave in thought word prayer and deed.
John Safran:
“What was Father Bob like privately? Somehow kinder and funnier than he was publicly,” Safran said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.
“We somehow ‘fought’ nonstop from the moment the record button was pressed in 2004, through documentaries, radio shows and books, right through to filming this year, but we never once fought.”
Safran said he once asked Maguire how he remained kind to people who were not always pleasant towards him, to which he replied: “You don’t have to like people to love them.
“I never thought Bob would ever stop making me laugh, but with the sad news of today, he finally has,” Safran said.
——
Chris Minns
@ChrisMinnsMP
·
7h
Our nation has just lost a hero.
The people’s priest.
A social justice warrior.
And a man who dedicated his life to faith and standing up for those most vulnerable.
Vale Father Bob Maguire.
———
Peter Baker
@_PB_photography
·
1h
Father Bob, ‘patron of the unloved and the unlovely…’ Thanks for the beautiful words on #TheDrum
@vanbadham
.
Vale Father Bob Maguire, a proper great Australian. #FatherBob
[Quote] Inigo
JULY 6, 2017 AT 9:08 AM
My thanks to Mr. Weigel for his gallant public support of his embattled friend. I only have one question. Does Mr. Weigel have any friends which, are say, janitors or plumbers? [End Quote]
Today we lost a much loved servant of Jesus in Fr Bob Maguire.
Fr Bob’s comment on Cardinal Pell’s opinion of him back in 2011:
” “George Pell has declared those of us Vatican II-ists to be ‘Cafeteria Catholics’ whereas he and his lot are authentic Catholics,” Father Maguire said at the time.
Mr Weigel has painted Melbourne as a city of godless Catholic haters, yet one who served in the character and model of Jesus the one who walked among us is revered and treasured by the people of Melbourne.
Search out Fr Bob Maguire on Twitter and you will read post after post from the NSW Conservative Premier to the comedians and self confessed atheists…all in prais and loving affirmation of Fr Bob and his walk of authentic spirituality. Mr Weigel you seemingly judge Melbourne and the people of Victoria from a platform of self serving narrative that knows nothing of the street level day to day service of men and women like Fr Bob. They are many and rich is the tapestry they weave in thought word prayer and deed.
John Safran:
“What was Father Bob like privately? Somehow kinder and funnier than he was publicly,” Safran said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.
“We somehow ‘fought’ nonstop from the moment the record button was pressed in 2004, through documentaries, radio shows and books, right through to filming this year, but we never once fought.”
Safran said he once asked Maguire how he remained kind to people who were not always pleasant towards him, to which he replied: “You don’t have to like people to love them.
“I never thought Bob would ever stop making me laugh, but with the sad news of today, he finally has,” Safran said.
——
Chris Minns
@ChrisMinnsMP
·
7h
Our nation has just lost a hero.
The people’s priest.
A social justice warrior.
And a man who dedicated his life to faith and standing up for those most vulnerable.
Vale Father Bob Maguire.
———
Peter Baker
@_PB_photography
·
1h
Father Bob, ‘patron of the unloved and the unlovely…’ Thanks for the beautiful words on #TheDrum
@vanbadham
.
Vale Father Bob Maguire, a proper great Australian. #FatherBob