So you don't think Pell's abysmal handling of child sexual assault by Australian clergy might have something to do with why people believe him tainted? You truly believe that most Australians can't separate that from an allegation he was cleared of?

You are being too hard on Pell, the man is a saint, or do I jest. There are any number of Australian priests who regard him as a bully, with limited doctrinal knowledge. But in fact like another author in this edition of OLO I believe that you are also 'taking the micky'. I like your approach and finely tuned sense of humour.
And yes I agree his empathy for victims of church sexual abuse does not match his fancy dress.
Bruce Haigh

Cardinal Pell's interview by an Age journalist a few weeks ago was reported on their front page. It concerned the institution of a Royal Commission to examine the matter of child physical and sexual abuse by persons connected to churches and charities. The Cardinal's last reported statement was "I would never hear the confession of a man like that.", meaning a paedophile.

I investigated the canon law and noted that, once a priest is invested with the power to hear confessions, he may not arbitrarily choose not to hear a confession [there is a choice if force/duress is being used]. I believe the Cardinal's answer was a lie, since he knows church law and the fact that he does not have such a choice.
That day my letter regarding this was published in the Eureka daily paper, and, therefore, moderated and accepted by the Jesuit editor.

The Cardinal is also listed by the US organization SNAP, fighters against the cover-up of child abuse; they presented a list of the top ten cardinals considered by them to be guilty of such action. Their list was presented to the Cardinals in Rome before the Conclave began.

Yes George Pell is a joke. And yet some people claim/pretend that he is Australia's leading or preeminent "catholic" intellectual.

He is a second rate propaganda hack whose books and regular online writings are abysmal.
I have actually read his Test Everything plus God and Caesar. They are pathetic. Even the title of one his essays "Without God We Are Nothing" is absurd/ridiculous.

Regarding Testing Everything - if anyone really did that they would inevitably find that there is no basis in Truth & Reality for any of the now archaic propositions or institutional mumbo-jumbo that George and the "catholic" church promotes. If anyone was at all honest they would have to throw all of the "catholic" mumbo-jumbo away with both hands.

For a bit of a chortle I also occasionally read some of the pathetic online stuff that he regularly posts either via the Telegraph or his official Sydney "catholic" website.

I think it would be a perfect reflection on the state of the Catholic church, were the conclave to elect Pell.

He is ideal for the task: a non-intellectual, without empathy for the people, but unremittingly defensive of his priests. A mouthpiece for the faith in which the dogma remains unprocessed by the brain before being presented to the world. And a walking anachronism, even in his own country.

His church is on a downward spiral. His presence at its head would accelerate that process, and save everyone a great deal of time, money and heartbreak.

Pell and all his mates in their long dresses and hats would parade better in the Sydney Mardis Gras than picking a new Pope who with outstretched hands will then convince the Catholics that he has been chosen by a God who there is no proof ever existed, except in the minds of gullible people.

Pell as pope! You must be joking - it would make the Catholic church a laughing stock.

Pell either (1) believes he knows enough science to say confidently that the vast majority of scientists in the field are wrong about climate change, and that a tiny majority are right or (2) know he doesn't, but doesn't let it dissuade him. I don't know which makes him more unsuitable to be an Archbishop, let alone pope.

We can particularly recall that he took delight in the snow storms in the UK and Europe in December 2010 (which caused huge disruption and expense, and, reportedly, deaths), seemingly hoping they would deceive people into thinking the world is no longer warming (read exactly what he wrote at http://www.sydneycatholic.org/people/archbishop/stc/2011/201112_1700.shtml)

For some seemingly sensible articles (by people who have some knowledge of the topic) about his publicised views, see, eg
http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2011/11/11/3362551.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2011/11/16/3367852.htm

>>Pell as pope! You must be joking - it would make the Catholic church a laughing stock.<<

'Make'?

I support Pell for Pope: he will stay in the Vatican and we will be rid of him, only having to tolerate occasional visits. Wouldn't that be nice? Alas, I fear he will be making his way home at the end of the Conclave still a Cardinal - and set to stay that way for God knows how long. They should put a term limit on Cardinals and let somebody else have a go.

Cheers,

Tony

I'm afraid Cardinal Pell has been linked to some pretty sad events. Have a look at this link:

http://brokenrites.alphalink.com.au/

He is pictured in the above link supporting a notorious paedophile at his court appearance. Many people may ask, WHY didn't Pell go hand-in-hand with the victims of this predator and support them? The question remains unanswered and many victims, families of the victims and the general public will not forget Pell's misguided sense of loyalty. His reputation in Melbourne was tainted to the point where another Cardinal had to be selected to act as media representative. Pell is very puffed up with his raw ambition and pride and complete lack of empathy for victims of ongoing abuse by Catholic clergy. Until Pell steps down from his pedestal and faces up to the crimes of the church, things will remain unresolved and his popularity in Australia will continue to decline.

Just sent to me by a mischievous uncle who was once a member of the clergy.

Warning: not safe for the humourless nor the deeply Catholic.

http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/313378_479927148728115_810922053_n.png

'Disagreeing with someone's views is not an excuse to accuse them of a hideous crime '

Sorry Mary this has always been a leftist tactic. Just read the above posts from many blinded by their own hatred.

" We love seeing the downfall of people in powerful positions, and sadly this delight comes at the expense of the truth."

Mary Broadsmith should be commended for her researched, fair account.

If anyone wants examples of those committed to assassinating Cardinal Pell's character, they need look no farther than those who have attacked him in the comments on this article.

Runner, Raycom, Well said!

Raycom.
The unvarnished truth is that the "catholic" church is in no sense universal, indeed it is founded on lies.
George Pell and the poop are snake oil salesmen, as are all modern day "catholic" propaganda hacks, even the more liberal and/or progressive ones.

Daffy Duck: "The unvarnished truth is that the "catholic" church is in no sense universal, indeed it is founded on lies. George Pell and the poop are snake oil salesmen..."

That is a daffy statement even for an animated cartoon character.

Do I hate Catholics?

Not in the slightest. In fact there is an Australian Catholic I would move mountains to see as Pope.

Father Bob!

I have been to hear the good man speak on several occasions and know how deep an intellect he has and how big a heart he sports.

Got a problem with my nominee runner?

'Got a problem with my nominee runner?'

no idea who u are talking about csteele. I just hope you have a little better judgement than you poor political choices.

>>A Pope, who with outstretched hands will then convince the Catholics ... there is no proof (God) ever existed, except in the minds of gullible people.<<

Or a teacher of maths who will convince his/her students that mathematics is good for nothing?

I suspect this better than anything summarizes the factuality and credibility of most of the comments on this thread.

Here you go runner.

http://www.fatherbob.org.au/

I'm a little shocked you don't know of him.

Probably because Runner resides in a closed order !

runner,

"Sorry Mary this has always been a leftist tactic. Just read the above posts from many blinded by their own hatred."

(In reply to)

"Disagreeing with someone's views is not an excuse to accuse them of a hideous crime."

In runner's book it's always enough of an excuse to accuse them of hideous vices, as in - "......Just read to above posts from many blinded by their own hatred."

Yeah, par for the course with runner - and if you tackle him about it, he'll tell you (fulsomely) that you're just pulling a leftist tactic.....fascinating really.

Daffy Duck and others have questioned Pell's status as an intellectual. Not being an intellectual, I am not really in a position to judge Pell in this regard. Thankfully, we can rely on the judgement of Daffy Duck. We are also indebted to him/her for a useful definition of an intellectual: someone whose ideas are liked or agreed with by Daffy Duck.

The comments along these lines are misguided because:
1) The article isn't about Pell as an intellectual.
2) You don't necessarily need to be an intellectual to be a cardinal or a pope, or to hold any pastoral or leadership position.

Cardinal Pell is completely out of step with the new Pope. This is from the SMH a couple of years ago

'The Domus Australia guest house in Rome - a beautifully refurbished old religious house with 33 rooms for paying visitors, a richly restored grand chapel and organ and a 150-seat auditorium opened by Pope Benedict XVI last month - cost between $30 million and $85 million, according to different estimates.

Cardinal Pell, the Archbishop of Sydney, had hoped all Australian dioceses would pay for it, but only Melbourne, Perth and Lismore had made contributions and the Sydney Archdiocese had paid the bulk.

Catholics of the four dioceses were not consulted, there was no prospect of a reasonable financial return and no accountability.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/pell-under-attack-from-within-over-bishops-grand-house-in-rome-20111130-1o76m.html#ixzz2NwPeL2rF'