2 of 3

Last year he angered many progressive Catholics—and won praise from conservatives—when he refused to give Holy Communion at Mass in St. Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne to a group of gay men and lesbians wearing the rainbow sash, a symbol of the homosexual rights movement.

At a press conference this week following his appointment, Pell repeated his opposition to homosexual acts, and contrasted the risks of homosexuality to smoking, saying it was possible to get HIV/AIDS from a single sexual encounter, but not possible to get lung cancer from a single cigarette. Asked whether there was room for homosexual people in the church, the archbishop said: "There's always room in the Catholic Church for every variety of sinner."

He added that people who were "sinning seriously" should not take communion, but repentant homosexuals and lesbians who were not active were welcome.

Asked whether he accepted the label "conservative," he said: "I'm doctrinally conservative. I have no ambition to formulate new doctrines. You'll only get Catholic doctrines from me. I'm prolife and profamily. I'm very much in favor of the poor and the battlers and the recently arrived and doing what we can for relief and development overseas."

Archbishop Pell has been a strong supporter of the Vatican's line opposing the ordination of women. He is also a former member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which is dedicated to ensuring orthodoxy within the church.

Leading lay Catholic Chris Sidoti, who is also a former member of the federal government's Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission, told Australia's government-sponsored television and radio network, the ABC, that the appointment would take the church back to medieval times. "More authoritarian, less tolerant, not permissive of differences of views."

Paul Collins, a theologian, broadcaster, and author who two weeks ago resigned from the Catholic priesthood, told ENI that Archbishop Pell was an authoritarian, and part of the movement in the church that was turning Catholicism into a sect.

Advocates of women's ordination, such as Brigidine nun Sister Mary Mooney, have also expressed reservations about the appointment.

But Catholic author Mary-Helen Wood told the ABC: "You always feel with George Pell that he's very much in touch with current thinking elsewhere. He has a very young attitude to life. He's very good with young people, relates particularly well to little children, to teenagers to young adults. He's at his most comfortable when he's with the young, and they love him."

Conservative organizations, such as the Sydney-based Catholic Advocacy Center, have welcomed the appointment saying that the archbishop's uncompromising defense of core Catholic doctrine would lead to a revival in the church and a refreshment of the faith, and an increase in young men entering the priesthood.

Copyright © 2001 ENI.

Outgoing cardinal criticises Vatican | Cardinal Edward Clancy says Catholic hierarchy doesn't understand Australia's sense of egalitarianism. — The Age (Apr. 2, 2001)

Critical mass holds fire on Rainbow Sash protest | Pell's supporters say his doctrinal views are similar to Cardinal Clancy's but his approach is more confrontational — The Sydney Morning Herald (Apr. 2, 2001)

Parishioners not willing to cast the first stone — The Sydney Morning Herald (Apr. 2, 2001)

Mark not so much his words as their timing | Cardinal Clancy doesn't want conservative Catholics to read the appointment of George Pell as a victory — The Sydney Morning Herald (Apr. 2, 2001

A reading from the book of Pell's: take a pew, Sydney | The arrival of a zealous and conservative Archbishop has focused interest on what plans he has for sex, drugs and rock'n'roll reform across the sprawling Catholic school system. — The Sydney Morning Herald (Mar 31, 2001)

For whom the Pell tolls | The arrival of Archbishop Pell is not an issue for Catholics only. He has been sent here to shake up Sydney. — The Sydney Morning Herald (Mar 31, 2001)

Pope chose Pell for the power of his personality | The choice of Sydney's new Catholic archbishop is part of a larger Vatican plan for strong leadership — The Sydney Morning Herald (Mar 30, 2001)

Pell: a baptism of fire | Archbishop moves north — The Age (Mar. 28, 2001)

Prepare to hear lots about that old-time religion | Sydney Catholics can expect a vigorous application of Rome's blueprint — The Sydney Morning Herald (Mar 28, 2001)

The Pope's man hits town | George Pell was sent from Melbourne by the Vatican, and his political clout will reach well beyond church circles as Sydney's next Catholic Archbishop — The Sydney Morning Herald (Mar 28, 2001)

Bully bishop or defender of the faith—a broad church awaits Pell | Catholics will be split over last night's appointment of a new Archbishop — The Sydney Morning Herald (Mar 26, 2001)

Dr Pell is coming to revitalise Sydney's Catholics — The Sydney Morning Herald (Mar 26, 2001)

next page... |  2 of 3

share this page

April (Web-only) 2001, Vol. 45