AUSTRALIA
The Australian
July 3, 2017
SUE NEALES
Reporter – Rural/Regional Affairs
@BushReporter
A chill wind was blowing through the Victorian gold-rush town of Ballarat, as local Catholics gathered for their first Sunday mass since police laid multiple historical sex charges against Cardinal George Pell.
For a community that has already been at the heart of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse — and where six Catholic priests, including notorious pedophile Gerald Ridsdale, have been convicted of dozens of sex offences — a sense of tired resignation pervaded.
At Ballarat’s imposing bluestone St Patrick’s Cathedral, where hundreds of coloured ribbons tied to wrought-iron fence posts are poignant reminders of the community’s support for abuse victims and survivors, Bishop Paul Bird urged the congregation yesterday to pray for “all those who will be involved” in court proceedings in coming months.
At the first opportunity, Bishop Bird spoke directly about the unspecified sex-abuse charges against Cardinal Pell — a Ballarat local who has risen to the top echelons of the Vatican.
“Cardinal Pell has denied all allegations and will be returning to Australia to face the charges in court; he is determined to clear his name,” Bishop Bird said.
“Court proceedings are stressful for everyone involved and there is likely to be added stress because of the publicity surrounding this case. I ask for your prayers for Cardinal Pell, and to pray for victims of crime and the community in general.”
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