Clashes break out at funeral of cardinal accused of sexual harassment

The funeral in Sydney of former Vatican finance minister and Australian cardinal George Pell, who came to the fore with allegations of child sexual abuse, was the scene of protests.

According to the ABC report, St. At the funeral held at St. Mary’s Cathedral, victims of child sexual abuse and their relatives demonstrated in Hyde Park in front of the cathedral. Activists protesting against Cardinal Pell chanted “Pell, go to hell.”

Supporters of George Pell also watched the funeral on screen outside the cathedral. There were occasional clashes between Pell supporters and protesters. The police intervened in the brawl.

The funeral, which was attended by former Australian Prime Ministers Tony Abbott and John Howard, as well as Australian Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and many government officials, was presided over by the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher. Speaking at the ceremony, Archbishop Fisher argued that the child sexual abuse allegations brought against Cardinal Pell by Victoria Police in 2017 were part of his “media, police and political campaign.”

The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney said some 2,000 people attended the funeral and that Cardinal Pell’s funeral was held at St. He announced that he would be buried at St Mary’s Cathedral. (AA)