The death of Cardinal George Pell was another grievous blow to the Church, all the more so because it was unexpected. He was, as our obituary makes clear, a controversial, pugnacious, large-hearted and brave man, who suffered for the Faith. His imprisonment for a year and a half for an offence which he not only did not commit, but could not have committed, tarnished the reputation of the Australian justice system, and his eventual rehabilitation by the Australian High Court was both conclusive and overdue.
His want of bitterness towards his accusers was Christ-like, as was clear in the interview conducted with him last year by our editor. He was not always combative: Diane Montagna’s Letter from Rome about his funeral includes the observation that he would regularly take dinner with the homeless, an act of solidarity that showed a different side to his character.
Before his rigged trial and unjust imprisonment, he had been engaged in the Herculean task of reforming the Vatican finances, a role to which he brought all the clear-sightedness, plain speaking and thoroughness that was characteristic of him; among his other reforms he brought in expert outsiders to examine the system. It was tragic that his work was abruptly terminated.
One of his last acts was to write for the Spectator magazine with his criticisms of the Synodal process in the global Church, initiated by Pope Francis. He was scathing about it. “Why the silence on the afterlife of reward or punishment, on the Four Last Things; death and judgement, heaven and hell?” he asked. “So far the Synodal Way has neglected – indeed downgraded – the transcendent, covered up the centrality of Christ with appeals to the Holy Spirit and encouraged resentment, especially among participants.”
His views are echoed by Cardinal Gerhard Müller in a new book, in which, in addition to criticising Pope Francis for marginalising theology, he takes issue with the Synodal Way. Cardinal Joseph Zen from Hong Kong also expressed doubts about the process. Their views are trenchant and they deserve a hearing from the Holy Father. Cardinal Pell did not pull his punches – aptly for a former pugilist – but his observations go to the heart of the problems with this consultation.
The Church will miss his plain speaking and clear thinking. Requiescat in pace.
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