Dear Paul,

I've been wondering what will happen to
Cardinal Pell after he's gone through the
legal process? I suppose it depends on whether
he wins or loses his appeal - right?

I've got to admit that I'm somewhat conflicted
by what the church should do in his case as
opposed to what the law has done. The law has punished
him according to the law. For crimes committed and that's
fair enough.

However forgiveness is a part of the church's teachings.
Can the church take everything away from
him - and kick him out totally as they've done with the
American Cardinal - where they're not even going to be
responsible for his living expenses, medical expenses,
and what happens to him now.

For a church that has always
preached forgiveness doesn't that seem rather severe?
Aren't they not practising what they preach? Surely they
could have just defrocked the man - and put him out where
he could do no harm. But to totally disown him? Does
not seem like something the Catholic church should do.

What do you think?

foxy,

" Surely they
could have just defrocked the man - "

Before the discussion goes any further, the Catholic Church does not de-frock anyone, that's a Protestant expression.

Is Mise,

That's a journalistic expression.

However I'm sure that you understood its meaning.

Hi Foxy,

The Catholic Church will do whatever limits damage to the Churches "good name". Despite my sarcasm, guilty or innocent, there is no way Pell can make any kind of comeback from this. Should he get the conviction overturned a quite retirement somewhere out of the spotlight will be the order of call.

Under the rules, Australia is entitled to one active voting Cardinal, a bloke under 80 years of age. Pell's predecessor Edward Clancy retired as Cardinal Archbishop of Sydney in 2001 aged about 78, which is the paramount Church position in Australia. Pell took over as Archbishop of Sydney, but once Clancy reached the age of 80 in 2003 Pell was made a Cardinal with voting rights. No matter what in 2021 or later the Pope will create another Catholic Cardinal for Australia, probably again the Archbishop of Sydney. I think the present top dog in Australia is the conservative Anthony Fisher. Other than pontificating, Fisher has done little to deal with child sex abuse cases in his own Diocese of Sydney, more interested in slamming progressives and other political enermies along with the usual minorities he don't like in society. Like Clancy and Pell before him, not really concerned with cleaning out the filth in his own backyard.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-13/george-pell-sentencing-inside-the-court/10896292
I found the link expressed my views
I despise the man
And yes sections, far too big a section, of his Church world wide
I do that because they, still, cover up such evil, in the name of God, some surely do not believe in
My history is full of confrontations with the Catholic driven National Civic Council
It once powered the Diplomatic Labor Party, an enemy of everything Labor stands for
But yes true, I feel sorry for Pell, no man so badly beaten, in his case by his own actions, misuse of power influence, should stand alone as they near life's end
Entered this conversation only after it became clear views other than he is not guilty,its a fit up, are seen here

paul.

"Other than pontificating, Fisher has done little to deal with child sex abuse cases in his own Diocese of Sydney,"

How do you know that?

Are you privy to what goes on inside the Diocese at the highest levels?