I think Cardinal Pell acquitted himself gracefully and convincingly.
Here is a man who has proactively lead the purge against these disgraceful pedophiles hiding in the clergy - long before politicians and the media jumped on the bandwagon.
One of the most shocking things about the entire history of this scandal is to see adult accusers/witnesses, who claim to have knowledge and/or evidence of historic crimes against children, accusing The Church of inaction while ignoring the inaction of secular authorities.
Inaction is when the parents of abused children don’t go straight to the police.
George Pell isnt a police officer. Nor is he an eye witness. So who really is responsible for the supposed cover-up?
I’ve heard and read much discussion about how The Church may have failed its obligation for mandatory reporting. But it’s self-evident that when crimes from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s are only just now being investigated, many eye witnesses to crimes and people with actual evidence, felt no obligation to report crimes to secular authorities.
In a similar government inquisition - set up by politicians to investigate historic crimes - Australian Archbishop Dennis Hart was excoriated for alleged “failure to act” earlier than he (and Pell) had. Archbishop Hart apologetically said "better late than never", and was lambasted.
Well, I demand to know why the (secular) government and the (secular) politicians and the (secular) police and the (secular) courts have waited so long to act on the evidence.
What’s their excuse? Better late than never?
