George Pell funeral: St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney surrounded by protesters, Catholic supporters

Tense scenes have been captured outside St Mary’s Cathedral as police were forced to separate supporters from protesters ahead of the funeral of controversial Catholic senior George Pell.

Australia’s oldest Catholic will lay in rest at a service at 11am on Thursday after he died of complications from hip replacement surgery in January.

NSW police predicted clashes on Wednesday after hundreds of protesters were given the green light to hold a “loud, visible and angry” protest outside the funeral.

Officers were called to the cathedral Wednesday night after mourners approached child abuse activists who had been tying ribbons to the fence.

Riot police in force Thursday morning before the funeral

Footage captured by 9News showed supporters of the cardinal allegedly yelling at silent protesters.

Police officers were seen dispersing the crowd and talking to people after the clash.

There is a heavy police presence at St. Mary’s Cathedral as thousands of mourners flock to support Cardinal Pell.

The Today Show filmed police officers sweeping the church Thursday morning.

They’ve done a sweep inside the church. The last half dozen police cars are parked here,’ said reporter Lara Vella.

“They have been keeping a close watch on a particular group of men who have been hanging around St. Mary’s Cathedral. I’ve seen them lots, lots of times.

Meanwhile, across the street, nearly 400 people will attend the ‘Pell Go To Hell’ protest in Hyde Park North, organized by Community Action for Rainbow Rights.

Activists are protesting Cardinal Pell’s public opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion rights, as well as a conviction for child sexual abuse from which he was ultimately acquitted.

Clashes outside St. Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney ahead of Cardinal George Pell’s funeral. Image: 9News

Hundreds of mourners gather outside St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney

NSW Police announced they would try to stop the protest at the High Court over “security concerns” on Tuesday.

But on Wednesday the court was told that “alternative arrangements” had been made to use a different route with the protest organizers.

Protesters can march through Hyde Park and will stand in the square outside the cathedral.

Outside court, Acting Deputy Commissioner Martin Fileman told the media that it was “never intended” to stop or oppose any protest activity.

He said there was a “risk” of clashes between protesters and Pell supporters, so the “buffer zone” would “mitigate the risk.”

GEORGE PELL DEAD

CARR organizer Kim Stern told the media that the action by NSW police was an attempt to “suppress our democratic right to protest”.

“They tried to prevent us from marching next to the church, they wanted us to march in the opposite direction…they claimed it was a security issue,” Stern said.

‘I think if they had denied us the right to march right in front of the church…those people would have been very happy if they could have walked in without being disturbed by it.’

Stern said it was a great victory for activists, who will be able to make their voices heard.

“Now we can march right in front of the church and make our voices heard, have a loud, visible and angry demonstration that is going to hear from survivors of abuse in the Catholic Church,” he said.

GEORGE PELL DEAD

Cardinal Pell served 406 days of a six-year sentence on allegations of child sexual abuse, but has always maintained his innocence.

The High Court reversed the decision in 2020.

The funeral will be attended by conservative figures from across the country, including leaders of the Catholic Church and Coalition leader Peter Dutton.

NSW MP Damien Tudehope will represent Prime Minister Dominic Perrottet at the funeral due to “prior commitments”.

Cardinal Pell, 81, died in Rome in January after complications following hip replacement surgery.