Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher backs George Pell, but won't pay legal bills

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Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher backs George Pell, but won't pay legal bills

By Damien Murphy
Updated

EDITOR'S NOTE: The High Court overturned Cardinal George Pell's conviction for historic child sex offences in a judgment handed down April 7, 2020. In a unanimous decision all seven High Court judges found Victoria's Court of Appeal should not have upheld Pell's conviction It found the evidence could not support a guilty verdict.

The Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, has come out in strong support for his embattled predecessor Cardinal George Pell, saying no one should be prejudged because of their elite social status or positions on social issues.

Catholic Archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher says Cardinal George Pell is a man of integrity.

Catholic Archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher says Cardinal George Pell is a man of integrity.Credit: Getty Images

"The George Pell I know is a man of integrity in his dealings with others, a man of faith and high ideals, a thoroughly decent man," he said during Mass at St Mary's Cathedral on Sunday.

"Where complaints of abuse are made, victims should be listened to with respect and compassion and their complaints investigated and dealt with according to the law.

Cardinal George Pell meets the media at the Vatican last week after being changed by Victoria Police with sexual assault.

Cardinal George Pell meets the media at the Vatican last week after being changed by Victoria Police with sexual assault.Credit: AP

"No one should be prejudged because of their high profile, religious convictions or positions on social issues."

With a pall hanging over the Catholic Church in Australia, Archbishop Fisher moved to clear the air for the 1200 people attending Sunday's annual Marriage Mass, where couples renewed their vows.

He also endorsed Pope Francis's comments after the news emerged last week that Cardinal Pell had been charged with sexual assault by Victoria Police; the Pontiff said he had always appreciated the Australian churchman's honesty in the three years they had worked together.

"Having known him for the best part of three decades myself, I can only support that judgment," Archbishop Fisher said.

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Cardinal Pell's charges had shocked many people, Archbishop Fisher said, and he warned the court process would be unsettling for many clergy, parishioners, teachers, parents and church workers.

"I want to acknowledge the difficulties experienced by those representing or working in the Church and those closely connected through our parishes, schools and agencies," he said.

Amid a growing clamour over who would pay Cardinal Pell's legal bills, AAP reported that the head of the Institute of Public Affairs, John Roskam​, a product of a Jesuit education at Melbourne's most expensive Catholic boys school, Xavier College, had confirmed that a private bank account had been set up to help with the cardinal's legal costs.

Archbishop Fisher assured Sydney Catholics they would not foot the bill.

"While the Archdiocese will assist with the Cardinal's accommodation and support, as it would for any of its bishops or priests, it is not responsible for the Cardinal's legal bills arising from these matters," he said.

Attendees at the St Mary's Marriage Mass had a glimpse of what lay ahead in Sunday's parish newsletter when the dean, Don Richardson wrote: "With every blessing for the week ahead – and may it be better than last week."

At the start of the mass, Archbishop Fisher telegraphed he would make a statement later concerning Cardinal Pell.

After about 50 couples, whose combined marriages totalled 1706 years, were presented to parishioners, the cathedral grew quiet as Archbishop Fisher began his statement on Cardinal Pell.

Meanwhile Pope Francis has reportedly sacked the head of the Vatican office that handles sex abuse cases, just days after he allowed Cardinal Pell to return home to face charges.

The Pope declined to renew the mandate of German Cardinal Gerhard Muelleras prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican office that processes and evaluates all cases of priests accused of raping or molesting minors.

Most incumbents keep the post until they retire, which in Cardinal Mueller's case would have been in six years. Francis named Cardinal Mueller's deputy, Monsignor Luis Ladaria Ferrer, a 73-year-old Spanish Jesuit, to run the powerful office instead.

Monsignor Ladaria is said by those who know him to be a soft-spoken person who shuns the limelight. Conservative Cardinal Mueller, by contrast, often appears in the media.

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"They speak the same language and Ladaria is someone who is meek. He does not agitate the Pope and does not threaten him," said a priest who works in the Vatican and knows both Cardinal Mueller and Monsignor Ladaria, asking not to be named.

with agencies

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