‘I’m looking forward, finally, to having my day in court. I’m innocent of these charges. They are false
Cardinal George Pell
A Sunday Mass at Melbourne’s most prominent Catholic Church was dominated by discussion about Cardinal George Pell’s historic sexual abuse charges.
About 150 parishioners were in attendance at St Patrick’s Cathedral as the Priest in Residence said the Mass was ‘being offered for Cardinal Pell on his protection’.
Reverend Aurelio Fragapane said Cardinal Pell continued to be in their prayers alongside the Catholic Church before asking worshippers to pray, The Age reported
He later noted during the Mass: ‘As Jesus was unjustly condemned and accused of things – that [also] happens to us’.
‘Perhaps that is a good sign that God has chosen us and considered us worthy to be his disciples that we are able to enter into that sacrifice,’ Reverend Fragapane said.
Parishioners who attended the Mass – who were told of the charges Cardinal Pell is facing – spoke to reporters outside the Cathedral, where they said they had prayed for Cardinal Pell.
Denise Sheehan told The Age she had prayed to give Cardinal Pell strength and for justice to take its course.
Cardinal Pell, 76, flatly denied the charges in a statement delivered at the Holy See that day and announced he was granted leave as the Vatican finance chief to return to Australia ‘to clear my name’.
‘I’m looking forward, finally, to having my day in court. I’m innocent of these charges. They are false,’ Cardinal Pell said.
