Tag cardinal george pell
Cardinal George Pell (1941-2020) was an Australian Catholic cardinal and the Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy of the Holy See. He was a prominent figure in the Catholic Church and played a key role in the financial management of the Vatican.
Here are some notable facts about Cardinal Pell:
- Early life and education: Pell was born in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. He studied at the University of Melbourne and later at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he earned a doctorate in canon law.
- Priesthood and episcopacy: Pell was ordained as a priest in 1966 and served as a parish priest and a professor of canon law. He was appointed as the Bishop of Melbourne in 1996 and later as the Archbishop of Sydney in 2001.
- Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy: In 2014, Pope Francis appointed Pell as the Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, a new department responsible for the financial management of the Vatican.
- Child sexual abuse allegations: Pell faced multiple allegations of child sexual abuse, which he denied. In 2018, he was convicted of five counts of sexual abuse and sentenced to six years in prison. He maintained his innocence and appealed the conviction, but the appeal was rejected in 2020.
- Resignation and death: Pell resigned as Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy in 2017, following the allegations of child sexual abuse. He died on January 10, 2020, at the age of 78, while serving his prison sentence.
Some notable quotes from Cardinal Pell:
- "I am innocent of these charges. I do not know the source of these allegations."
- "I am not a criminal. I am not a pedophile. I am not a rapist."
- "I am a priest, a bishop, a cardinal, and a servant of the Lord. I am not a criminal."
Please note that the allegations of child sexual abuse against Cardinal Pell are serious and disturbing, and it is important to approach the topic with sensitivity and respect for the victims.