'Sack Pell' group holds protest outside Bendigo Sacred Heart Cathedral

By Renee Thompson
Bendigo Advertiser
September 21, 2014

http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/2574039/sack-pell-group-protests-at-bendigo-church/?cs=80

A group of Sandhurst Diocese parishioners protesting outside Sacred Heart Cathedral in Bendigo on Sunday. Picture: BRENDAN McCARTHY

PARISHIONERS at Bendigo's Sacred Heart Cathedral were greeted with a confronting scene when departing Mass on Sunday. 

Banners and petitions were wielded by fellow Sandhurst Diocese parishioners calling for Cardinal George Pell's sacking over the Catholic church's handling of child sex abuse claims.

The small group, who have taken part in wider protests against Cardinal Pell in the past, decided to hold the protest in the Sandhurst Diocese following recent comments made by its Bishop Leslie Tomlinson, who they say used language to defend Cardinal Pell in a letter he distributed last week.  

St Mary's of Mooroopna parishioner Catherine Dooley said Cardinal Pell's response to the church's handling of child sex abuse claims reflected a church more interested in protecting its reputation than children.

She said Bishop Tomlinson's recent comments in particular had served to make it clear "more energy" was given to protecting clergy than protecting victims. 

"It is very affronting they continue to put out this clerical propaganda," she said.

Shepparton parishioner Frank Purcell said he had a simple but powerful message for Bishop Tomlinson: "protect children, not Pell". 

St Kilian's parishioner Andrew Lovett, who is also director of paediatrics at Bendigo hospital, said he joined the protest because it was important the church was held accountable.

"The clergy aren't allowed to speak and so we as Catholics who aren't members of the clergy have to speak on their behalf," he said.

Cardinal Pell's resignation was important for the healing of the church, Mr Lovett said. 

"I think Cardinal Pell has to resign. If he was a member of any business type organisation, like a trucking company, he would have resigned years ago," he said.

Mr Lovett said it was also an emotional thing to stand up to the leaders of the faith to which he belonged. 

"It's standing against something I hold dear and precious. If we're representing God in any way, we've got to own up to this stuff, we've got to be better than the trucking company."

The group collected dozens of signatures from parishioners, but many also chose not to sign.

Bishop Tomlinson was not at the Mass but Monsignor Frank Marriott, who led Sunday's Mass, said the group was free to stand on the footpath and protest as long as it did not disrupt worship on church grounds.

He said he would not comment on the "bigger issue" of the group's protest.