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Why these tapes have started appearing throughout Sydney’s largest Catholic church, as George Pell’s body arrives in Australia
- Child sexual abuse survivors tie ribbons at St. Mary’s Cathedral
- George Pell will be buried at St Mary’s on Thursday
Survivors of child sexual abuse have begun tying ribbons at Sydney’s St Mary’s Cathedral in a final protest against George Pell’s legacy as his body arrives in Australia for burial.
Pell died in Rome on January 10 at the age of 81 from complications of hip replacement surgery and was Australia’s longest-serving Catholic member.
His legacy has remained embroiled in deep controversy ever since he was jailed and later acquitted of several historical crimes of child sexual abuse.
New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet and Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews denied a state burial to the former Archbishop of Melbourne and, later, Sydney.
Silent advocates for survivors of child sexual abuse have begun tying colored ribbons to the doors of Sydney’s St Mary’s Cathedral in protest of their requiem mass and private burial service, due to take place on Thursday.
Controversial Catholic Church figure George Pell (above) will be buried in the crypt of Sydney’s St Mary’s Cathedral on Thursday.
Survivors of child sexual abuse began tying colored ribbons (above) to the door of St. Mary’s in hopes of forcing the church to recognize Pell’s controversial legacy.
However, Ballarat child abuse survivor Paul Auchettl said church employees and “staunch supporters of George Pell who think we are desecrating the church” have been removing the tapes.
They hold George Pell in very high regard. He is fine because he did good things, but we believe that to honor him properly we have to be able to talk about the legacy that he has left behind,’ he told the abc.
“So many people, the royal commission reported, have been harmed by their inaction and inability to attack the criminals they were constantly warned about.”
A royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse found that Pell was aware of child abuse by clergy in the 1970s, but failed to take appropriate action to stop it.
Pell rejected the finding.
He was the Vatican’s top finance minister before leaving to face charges in Melbourne in 2017.
His successor as Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, will be the main celebrant at Pell’s requiem mass on Thursday at 11 a.m.
Lawyer Paul Auchettl said church employees and “staunch supporters of George Pell who believe we are desecrating the church” have been routinely removing the tapes (above) before Thursday’s service.
The service will be streamed live on YouTube, however Pell’s burial in St Mary’s crypt will remain private.
His body will rest in the cathedral from Wednesday morning, El guardian informed.
The dean of St. Mary’s Cathedral, Father Don Richardson, said thousands of mourners from around the world were expected to attend Thursday’s mass.
“Cardinal Pell left a remarkable legacy for the Catholic Church in Australia and this will undoubtedly be one of the most significant funerals ever held at the cathedral,” he said in a statement on January 17.
“Cardinal Pell was also known and highly respected by many abroad due to his many roles in the Vatican over many decades.”
Screens will be put up in front of the church on Thursday so the crowds outside can watch the service.
Masses for Pell will also be held on Wednesday at 1:10 pm and 8:00 pm for those unable to attend the main service.