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Fifty years of friendship with Cardinal Pell

Had Pell not become archbishop of Melbourne, and later cardinal-archbishop of Sydney, it’s a reasonable bet that Australian Catholicism today would resemble the Irish Church from which the Church Down Under largely descends: scandal-ridden, demoralized, intellectually shoddy, and somewhere out on the far periphery of the New Evangelization.

July 5, 2017 George Weigel The Dispatch 20 Print

Australian Cardinal George Pell delivers a statement in the Vatican press office June 29, 2017. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Msgr. Thomas A. Whelan, my pastor when I was growing up in Baltimore, was a striking character: Princeton friend of F. Scott Fitzgerald; former Wall Street broker; high-ranking Army chaplain in World War II; world traveler; founding rector of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. The latter two roles led to some creative thinking about arranging “coverage” at the cathedral during the summer, when he could be found abroad: one by one and year by year, Msgr. Whelan brought to Baltimore newly-ordained Australian priests who had studied in Rome, wanted to visit the U.S., and could use some money.

And so, precisely fifty years ago this month, a tall, gangly Aussie named George Pell entered my life. By the end of August 1967 he had become a fast friend of my family. Little did he nor I know that the next half-century would lead us into the same foxholes in various ecclesiastical battles; or to a shared friendship with a Polish priest, pope, and saint; or into synods, consistories, papal elections, and other adventures. We’re both a little slower and a little heavier than we were in the summer of ’67, when, if memory serves, I helped introduce the future cardinal to Frisbee at the beach. But the friendship is even closer and it is one of the great blessings of my life.

That summer, Father Pell was heading for doctoral studies in history at Oxford after ordination in Rome from the Pontifical Urban University (horsemeat was a staple on the menu in his day). His intellectual gifts might have marked him out for a scholarly career. But Providence (and John Paul II) had other plans, and rather than teaching history full-time, George Pell made history, becoming the defining figure of 21st-century Catholicism in Australia. 

Had Pell not become archbishop of Melbourne, and later cardinal-archbishop of Sydney, it’s a reasonable bet that Australian Catholicism today would resemble the Irish Church from which the Church Down Under largely descends: scandal-ridden, demoralized, intellectually shoddy, and somewhere out on the far periphery of the New Evangelization. Thanks to Pell’s courage in facing-down the Australian forces of Catholic Lite, the Church in Oz today has a fighting chance.

Cardinal Pell’s accomplishment has not been cost-free. Australia is a contact-sport country, and that national tendency to hit hard extends to both the Aussie media and to intra-ecclesiastical life. George Pell’s enemies, and their media lapdogs, have not caviled to lie about him for decades. Perhaps the most absurd charge was that this man, whose sartorial style rings up “Salvation Army Thrift Shop,” kept a house full of Church finery to satisfy his vanity. As it happens (and as I wrote at the time), I had just stayed in the cardinal’s house when this nonsense appeared; I hadn’t seen a vestment anywhere, but had noted thousands of books and the current issues of every major opinion journal in the English-speaking world.

More recently, the calumnies have become much darker, as the man who designed and implemented the Australian Church’s first vigorous response to the sexual abuse of the young has been charged with being an abuser. His friends are confident that the charges, like other fanciful allegations the cardinal has consistently denied and of which he has been exonerated, will be shown to be gross falsehoods – not least because we believe Pell is telling the truth when he flatly and forcefully denies the current accusations.

There is a new twist to this dirty business, however. Since 2014, Cardinal Pell has been responsible for draining the Vatican financial swamp of corruptions that had become epidemic, ingrained, and virtually institutionalized. Given the stakes and the sleaziness involved, it would not be surprising to learn that some who would be most adversely effected by Pell’s success in Vatican financial reform may have been generating false accusations now in play in the Australian judicial system. Australia, it seems, is not the only place where hardball is played, and in very unsavory forms.

Cardinal George Pell is a big man in every sense of the word and his stamina under assault is entirely admirable. Its deepest root, however, is not his native combativeness but Pell’s faith. Its solidity, and the courage to which that rock-solid faith gives rise, may be what aggravates his foes the most.

It’s also what inspires his legion of friends, among whom I am honored to number myself – for fifty years and counting. 

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About George Weigel 522 Articles
George Weigel is Distinguished Senior Fellow of Washington's Ethics and Public Policy Center, where he holds the William E. Simon Chair in Catholic Studies. He is the author of over twenty books, including Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II (1999), The End and the Beginning: Pope John Paul II—The Victory of Freedom, the Last Years, the Legacy (2010), and The Irony of Modern Catholic History: How the Church Rediscovered Itself and Challenged the Modern World to Reform. His most recent books are The Next Pope: The Office of Peter and a Church in Mission (2020), Not Forgotten: Elegies for, and Reminiscences of, a Diverse Cast of Characters, Most of Them Admirable (Ignatius, 2021), and To Sanctify the World: The Vital Legacy of Vatican II (Basic Books, 2022).
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March 11, 2018 CNA Daily News 0

Vatican City, Mar 11, 2018 / 07:21 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Cardinal Karl Lehmann, Archbishop Emeritus of Mainz and one of the most prominent leaders in the German Church known for his ecumenical work, died at his home Sunday morning at the age of 81.

In a statement following the prelate’s March 11 death, president of the German Bishops Conference Cardinal Reinhard Marx said in wake of Lehmann’s passing, “the church of Germany is bowing humbly in front of a personality who influenced the Catholic church worldwide.”

Marx praised the many accomplishments and longstanding contributions of his predecessor, who he said “tirelessly” to build bridges of understanding, reconciliation and dialogue.

After retiring from his role as head of the Mainz diocese in 2016, Lehmann last year suffered a stroke last year and his health has been in decline ever since.

In a March 11 CDU party press release on the cardinal’s death, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was sad to hear of the prelate’s passing, and voiced gratitude “for our good conversations and meetings over the years.”

She called the late prelate “an exceptionally gifted mediator, between the German Catholics and Rome, in the spirit of the economical movement between the Christian churches, but also between Christians and believers of other religions.”

Born in Sigmaringen, Germany, May 16, 1936, Lehmann played a leading role in advancing the Catholic Church’s dialogue with Lutherans and Evangelicals, in particular. And with 20 years as head of the German Bishops conference, he is widely considered to be one of the most influential leaders in the German Church.

After completing seminary, Lehmann was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Freiburg Oct. 10, 1963, and held doctorates in both philosophy and theology from Rome’s Pontifical Gregorian University.

For three years, from 1964-1967, he was an assistant to Jesuit Fr. Karl Rahner at the University of  Münster helping with the latter’s seminar on the Christian vision of the world and the philosophy of religion.

He graduated from the Gregorian University in 1967, and the same year continued to assist Fr. Rahner with his role in the Chair of Dogmatic and the History of Dogmatic at the Westfälischen Wilhelms University of Münster.

After completing his doctoral studies, writing his thesis on themes associated with Christ’s resurrection and Christian Revelation, Lehmann then taught dogmatic theology at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz.

In 1969 became a member of the Central Committee of German Catholics and the Jaeger-Stählin working committee of Evangelical and Catholic Theologians. In 1975 he was named a scientific consultant for the Catholic part of the working committee, and in 1989 became its president.

Lehman later taught at the Albert Ludwig University, Freiburg im Breisgau, and for 10 years, from 1974-1984, was a member of the International Theological Commission.

At the time, the future cardinal also edited the official publication of the documents from the Joint Synod of the Dioceses in the Federal Republic of Germany for the 1971-1975 Synod of Würzburg.

In June 1983, he was appointed Bishop of Mainz and received episcopal ordination that October. A year later, he became a member of the circle for dialogue between representatives of the German Bishops Conference and those from the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany.

From March 1986-1988 he also became a member and later president of the Lutheran-Catholic dialogue between the World Lutheran Federation and the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity.

The two entities in 2017 signed their latest joint-statement to mark their shared commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. In a major ecumenical move, Pope Francis traveled to Lund, Sweden from Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2017, for a joint-commemoration of the landmark anniversary.

In addition to his role in helping advance ecumenism, Cardinal Lehmann was elected president of the German Bishops Conference in 1987 – a position he held for 20 years, being reconfirmed in the role in 1993, 1999 and again in 2005.

In 1995 he was named Special Secretary of the First Special Assembly for Europe of the Synod of Bishops, and from 1988-1998 was a member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

The prelate received awards from universities and institutions all over the world, and was the author of several publications.

He participated in the conclave of 2005 that elected Benedict XVI as Pope, as well as the conclave of 2013 that elected Pope Francis, and is rumored to have been one of the cardinals pushing for Bergoglio’s election.

Lehmann was given a red hat by Pope John Paul II in 2001. He retired from his role as head of the Mainz diocese in 2016, and died the morning of March 11, 2018.

[…]

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Laity, gender ideology shared concerns for Pope and Panama’s bishops

June 10, 2017 CNA Daily News 0

Vatican City, Jun 10, 2017 / 06:01 am (CNA/EWTN News).- World Youth Day wasn’t the only topic on the agenda for Panama’s bishops during their meeting with Pope Francis this week: they also touched on the role of the laity and the dangers of gender ideology – both key topics for the universal Church.

Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa Mendieta of Panama, president of the Panama bishops conference, told journalists June 8 that gender ideology “is really being pushed in Panama,” and was a major talking point in their meeting with Pope Francis.

The bishops are concluding a trip to Rome for their ad limina visit, during which they met with several Vatican departments and had a nearly 2-hour discussion with Pope Francis June 8.

Archbishop Ulloa described the meeting as “marvelous, a brotherly visit,” in which they exchanged jokes, asked questions, and voiced concerns freely.

The international WYD encounter set to take place in Panama in 2019 was of course a big topic, as well as the youth in general. However, particular concern was raised about the growing threat gender ideology poses to youth and to families.

“Let’s say something that in other media doesn’t sell so well: gender ideology is demonic,” Archbishop Ulloa said. “It wants to break with the reality of the family and it does so by getting in so softly that we don’t realize it.”

It is never permissible to impose an ideology, he said, stressing the need to respect others, “but having very clear the importance of the family according to the plan of God: man and woman.”

In comments to CNA, Cardinal José Luis Lacunza Maestrojuan of David said Pope Francis “is very worried about Latin America” and listened carefully to what the bishops had to say.

“We listened to his concerns, he listened to our concerns, and from there we had a very fraternal dialogue, very nice, very friendly,” the cardinal said, explaining that the Pope allowed them to share and ask questions, and he responded by giving his own ideas and opinions.

Cardinal Lacunza said that right now in Panama, “there is a real escalation in the media and in the environment to impose, even in the educational field, this theme of gender ideology (on) young children.”

He said there is currently “a fight” between those who are pushing gender ideology as a human right and those who, from the perspectives of faith and reason, “say that it is in no way a human right.”

“The homosexuals have a right to be respected in their dignity and not to be discriminated against,” the cardinal said, emphasizing the need to go from “a society that has to assume as good or acceptable this opinion,” to one that teaches children “that there is a very big path that we are not willing to take, we are not willing to compromise.”

When asked what the Church can do to help, Cardinal Lacunza said it is essential to remember that “the Church” includes the laity – not just clerics.

As bishops, “we can’t do anything,” he said. “We can give orientations, guidelines, but the ones who have to take the baton in their hands are the laity.”

It is the laity who must “fight for adequate legislation in education and other areas,” he said, and, pointing to a recent initiative in the country, said the push to have “an encyclopedia of genitalia” as if it were the most important educational text “is the wrong path.”

There are already lay people working in this area, the cardinal said, adding that “this is what we want: that they are the ones with the baton.”

Youth and laity were also key topics in the meeting with Pope Francis, stemming from discussion on World Youth Day.

Francis has often condemned a clericalist attitude prevalent in Latin America, calling it in a 2016 letter to the Pontifical Commission for Latin America  “one of the greatest distortions of the Church” in the region.

So it’s not surprising that the role of the laity came up with the Panamanian bishops. In fact, Archbishop Ulloa said the Pope stressed “the importance of believing in the laity,” because the laity “are also capable of transforming our society.”

This also includes the youth, the archbishop said, explaining that Pope Francis also focused on the “spaces and opportunities” that must be provided to the youth.

“In the Church, in the world, many things will change, and youth will truly fight to have a place in this time of transformation,” he said, noting how Pope Francis said that youth “are not [just] the future,” but rather, “they are the present of the Church, and the present of humanity.”

“What a responsibility it is for them also to be a youth in this time!” Archbishop Ulloa said, adding that the youth are “the fresh air that we have to continue hoping in for a different world.” If this world is possible, he said, “it’s possible thanks to the youth.”

 

Alvaro de Juana contributed to this piece.

[…]

17 Comments

  1. I posted this comment some days ago with the Nat Cath Reg: “When will it end? Cardinal Pell is one of the few Cardinals who agree submitting the Dubia has merit. Also 2016, “Pell pointed out that ‘those emphasising ‘the primacy of conscience’ only seemed to apply it to sexual morality and questions around the sanctity of life,’ the Catholic Herald reported.” Adding “‘The idea that you can somehow discern that moral truths should not be followed or should not be recognised [is] absurd’. Along with Cardinal Burke, Pell was recently removed from the Congregation for Divine Worship, the Vatican liturgy office” (LifeSite). We can’t assume the Vatican had a covert connection with the revival of these charges [long ago repudiated by Pell] by the Australian courts. However from my perspective Cardinal Pell has held the doctrinal line along with Cardinals Burke, Caffarra and co. And his embarrassment hurts their cause. It may also end with his removal. We seem to have a growing collection of dismissed prelates [the latest Cardinal Mueller Prefect of the CDF] who oppose the premises of AL and what’s occurring in National Bishops Conferences. This seems a prelude. Leaving the source or sources to the readers own devises that those who openly oppose the Pontiff’s policy of scriptural revision and redirecting the Church will meet with continued difficulties. There is a pattern. And cause for courage, support from Laity and clergy. But then is it not expected of us”. Author Weigel has similar suspicions that I expressed then, “We can’t assume the Vatican had a covert connection with the revival of these charges”. If someone with far more knowledge of Vatican machinations than I raises the question, then perhaps we can consider that possibility.

    Reply

  2. I have long admired Pell, and hope he is vindicated. But this piece does not even touch on the question of the accusers. Much like the Fr. Maciel case, how is one to know the truth here? I always wonder why lie detector tests, though fallible, are not administered.

    Reply

  3. My thanks to Mr. Weigel for his gallant public support of his embattled friend. I only have one question. Does Mr. Weigel have any friends which, are say, janitors or plumbers?

    Reply

  4. I wish to thank Mr George Weigel for his wonderful article on our dear Cardinal Pell. I am totally convinced he is innocent as do many Australian Catholics. He is a wonderful example to all of us but he is carrying a heavy cross. In the end I believe he will be exonerated. Hopefully one day we will have him back in Aus.

    Reply

  5. The problem of being a character witness for a friend is that it is subjective. Extremely difficult to be objective to a friend. It might end the relationship. Others who have known and worked closer to Pell have a different take.
    The merits of his case will not be determined on how many friends think he is a nice guy but did he or did he not do not nice things to others, especially young persons, and whether or not he covered for others who did not do nice things to young people. As Joe Friday said, “Just the facts, ma’am!” Hopefully, a court of law will deliver a more objective accounting of Pell.
    Interesting the Weigh throws in this assertion: There is a new twist to this dirty business, however. Since 2014, Cardinal Pell has been responsible for draining the Vatican financial swamp of corruptions…
    GW doesn’t provide any hard core facts other than his personal assertion.
    I recall years ago when the clerical sex abuse scandal was emerging publicly, GW dismissed it as an American thing without any factual data. Did GW ever offer a mea culpa for this egregious diversion?

    Reply

    • Considering that Catholics worldwide were in shock and disbelief when the priest sex scandal first gained credibility, Cardinal Pell’s initial response was no different than myself and every Catholic I know. Even Pope John Paul II, having first-hand knowledge of how Nazis and Communists lied about priests, was slow to believe there was truth behind the scandals. Yes, many believed the scandal was an “American thing,” so please don’t single out Pell.

      Reply

    • Calm down. Have you studied the trial? Are you seriously proposing that the same biased legal system from which George Cardinal Pell got convicted based sympathy for an accuser and not evidence; which offer and objective judgment? This is a test for the future of the Australian Judiciary system and its children.

      Reply

  6. The list of cardinals being dismissed/terminated is growing day by day – one thing is certain- all of these good men are clinging to the faith and opposing heresy – is there any doubt as to who the real followers of Christ are?
    God bless C. Burke, Sarah, Mueller, 3 CDF priests who were dismissed by PF, and now, C. Pell. Strange how heretics like James Martin, Capozzi (recent sex scandal), Paglia, Ricca, Daneels, Schonborn, Kasper, Bruno Forte, Badisseri and get plum positions and enjoy PF’s favor !
    We pray for the godly men who are suffering like Christ said his followers would suffer. May God reward their faithfulness.

    Reply

    • You should not lump these people in with cardinal pell. Cardianl peel has been hounded by the left in Australia , particularly the national broadcaster , ABC ever since he took over the archbishopric of Sydney. For them he is a symbol of the church militant. He has been vociferously opposed to the current campaign for same sex marriage , as well as every other fashionable left libertarian cause. The charges stem from accusations aired on the ABC, which could hardly be called criminal, and a lurid book written by one of their journalists, a weird combination of hearsay and her summation of his character, and it is thought by many to be a fiction. We are supposed to believe while the cardinal was supposed to be a serial pedophile , he also instituted the first and only inquiry and compensatory mechanism to deal with child sex abuse. At present we don’t even know the actual charges are. The police spent a whole year investigating this. It was sent to the Victorian public prosecutor TWICE and sent back with no recommendation to charge. The police have charged him, many believe, to simply save face. Pell has been supported by a large number of prominent non Catholic people ,including an prime minister , the leading indigenous politician, the Victorian law council and an ex ambassador to Italy who is fierce critic of the church. In short, it is a total fit up.

      Reply

        • Angela, the leading indigenous politician? That would be Patrick Dodson i presume. I have not heard him comment on the case.

          Reply

          • [Quote] Inigo
            JULY 6, 2017 AT 9:08 AM
            My thanks to Mr. Weigel for his gallant public support of his embattled friend. I only have one question. Does Mr. Weigel have any friends which, are say, janitors or plumbers? [End Quote]

            Today we lost a much loved servant of Jesus in Fr Bob Maguire.

            Fr Bob’s comment on Cardinal Pell’s opinion of him back in 2011:
            ” “George Pell has declared those of us Vatican II-ists to be ‘Cafeteria Catholics’ whereas he and his lot are authentic Catholics,” Father Maguire said at the time.

            Mr Weigel has painted Melbourne as a city of godless Catholic haters, yet one who served in the character and model of Jesus the one who walked among us is revered and treasured by the people of Melbourne.
            Search out Fr Bob Maguire on Twitter and you will read post after post from the NSW Conservative Premier to the comedians and self confessed atheists…all in prais and loving affirmation of Fr Bob and his walk of authentic spirituality. Mr Weigel you seemingly judge Melbourne and the people of Victoria from a platform of self serving narrative that knows nothing of the street level day to day service of men and women like Fr Bob. They are many and rich is the tapestry they weave in thought word prayer and deed.

            John Safran:
            “What was Father Bob like privately? Somehow kinder and funnier than he was publicly,” Safran said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.
            “We somehow ‘fought’ nonstop from the moment the record button was pressed in 2004, through documentaries, radio shows and books, right through to filming this year, but we never once fought.”
            Safran said he once asked Maguire how he remained kind to people who were not always pleasant towards him, to which he replied: “You don’t have to like people to love them.
            “I never thought Bob would ever stop making me laugh, but with the sad news of today, he finally has,” Safran said.
            ——

            Chris Minns
            @ChrisMinnsMP
            ·
            7h
            Our nation has just lost a hero.

            The people’s priest.

            A social justice warrior.

            And a man who dedicated his life to faith and standing up for those most vulnerable.

            Vale Father Bob Maguire.
            ———

            Peter Baker
            @_PB_photography
            ·
            1h
            Father Bob, ‘patron of the unloved and the unlovely…’ Thanks for the beautiful words on #TheDrum
            @vanbadham
            .
            Vale Father Bob Maguire, a proper great Australian. #FatherBob

  7. [Quote] Inigo
    JULY 6, 2017 AT 9:08 AM
    My thanks to Mr. Weigel for his gallant public support of his embattled friend. I only have one question. Does Mr. Weigel have any friends which, are say, janitors or plumbers? [End Quote]

    Today we lost a much loved servant of Jesus in Fr Bob Maguire.

    Fr Bob’s comment on Cardinal Pell’s opinion of him back in 2011:
    ” “George Pell has declared those of us Vatican II-ists to be ‘Cafeteria Catholics’ whereas he and his lot are authentic Catholics,” Father Maguire said at the time.

    Mr Weigel has painted Melbourne as a city of godless Catholic haters, yet one who served in the character and model of Jesus the one who walked among us is revered and treasured by the people of Melbourne.
    Search out Fr Bob Maguire on Twitter and you will read post after post from the NSW Conservative Premier to the comedians and self confessed atheists…all in prais and loving affirmation of Fr Bob and his walk of authentic spirituality. Mr Weigel you seemingly judge Melbourne and the people of Victoria from a platform of self serving narrative that knows nothing of the street level day to day service of men and women like Fr Bob. They are many and rich is the tapestry they weave in thought word prayer and deed.

    John Safran:
    “What was Father Bob like privately? Somehow kinder and funnier than he was publicly,” Safran said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.
    “We somehow ‘fought’ nonstop from the moment the record button was pressed in 2004, through documentaries, radio shows and books, right through to filming this year, but we never once fought.”
    Safran said he once asked Maguire how he remained kind to people who were not always pleasant towards him, to which he replied: “You don’t have to like people to love them.
    “I never thought Bob would ever stop making me laugh, but with the sad news of today, he finally has,” Safran said.
    ——

    Chris Minns
    @ChrisMinnsMP
    ·
    7h
    Our nation has just lost a hero.

    The people’s priest.

    A social justice warrior.

    And a man who dedicated his life to faith and standing up for those most vulnerable.

    Vale Father Bob Maguire.
    ———

    Peter Baker
    @_PB_photography
    ·
    1h
    Father Bob, ‘patron of the unloved and the unlovely…’ Thanks for the beautiful words on #TheDrum
    @vanbadham
    .
    Vale Father Bob Maguire, a proper great Australian. #FatherBob

    Reply

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