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1. Please, take him! Oh, George... the call of Rome. Your prayers - and ours -answered!

   Posted By: Gina

2. I hope not. We need him here.

   Posted By: R. t.

3. If Cardinal Pell leaves Sydney many will be happy; but neither Coleridge nor Fisher will offer respite for leftist, liberal, modernist, progressive, feminist, pro-abortion/contraception, pro-Gay/lesbian so-called 'Catholics.' Either way, it's a win-win situation for the conservatve cause.

   Posted By: Michael Bernard

4. It would be best if God intervened. George Pell could do even more damage in Rome than he has already done to Australian Catholicism !

   Posted By: Amelia

5. It is not just the liberal/modernists who would be happy to see Cardinal Pell move on.
   I agree with Pell 90% of the time. It is the 10% in which I feel that his words on industrial relations, social policy and the Labor movement - have all been too carefully pitched to minimalist sensitivities that I do not like.
   The lay apostolate in the world of work and of social and economic policy has been framed according to a policy of minimalism in many nations including our own. This has been to the great detriment of the working class who make up much more than 50% in most parishes and in the community generally.
   We need an Archbishop in Sydney who will encourage the lay apostolate to encompass greater personal initiative as well as socialisation of key industries and utilities for the common good.
   Meeting with Tony Abbott was the last straw for me, along with the Cardinal's words that we have no worries about having a right wing ALP Govt. A little bit too cute and establishment for me.

   Posted By: Michael Webb

6. Rumours of my preferment are a little premature!

   Posted By: david anthony davies

7. It would be our loss, but the world's gain.
   The Pope knows how to pick them
   We thank you, George Pell, for defending the true word of God
   

   Posted By: Pat

8. I don't believe the report, but I suspect, Gina, that you ain't gonna like anyone who would be likely to replace him.... Both the names mentioned here as likely replacements set my heart aflutter... But to reiterate, I would almost be willing to behave like Chesterton's Colonel Crane if the rumours are true.

   Posted By: Adeodatus

9. I hope the Vatican finds an Episcopal position for him in Antarctica. The penguins need him. Prefect of the Penguins would be an appropriate title.
   Rob

   Posted By: Rob Doran

10. When the good bishop left Melbourne, my uncle, a very conservative gentleman, telephoned me and said "we've lost him, you've got him...THANK GOD!" So you see, not all on the conservative side thought well of him.
    From my point of view he's been as disaster both in Melbourne and Sydney and, if Rome wants him, I can do no more then echo my uncle's remarks.

    Posted By: Jeff Kevin

11. To Rob Doran:
    It looks like Cardinal Pell will remain your bishop, as your comments reflect the frozen, barren and fruitless mindset of the withering lefty-trendies.

    Posted By: Michael Bernard

12. It would be good to see a Melbourne Bishop get top job, as the appointed Sydney Cardinal ... Yes, both of the suggested Bishops were originaly from Melbourne. I would be most pleased with the choice.

    Posted By: BDP

13. Amelia,
    Could you specify the damage Cardinal Pell has done to Australian Catholicism, please?
    Thanks In Advance,
    Paul

    Posted By: Paul Keen

14. Rome's gain will be Australias loss if this appointment eventuates... ah, such a bitter sweet moment!
    Now His Eminence Cardinal Pell has truly served the Lord and ALL his the flock with such distinction all his priestly life! His Eminence relentlessy showed such unerring class and grace to all that he served in his many years as a priest here in the land down under!
    So we very humbly say from the bottom of our hearts THANKS, grazie tanto, danke schon, gracias. The language here doesn't matter; what's important is that ALL should show gratitude for the great and good work the Cardinal has unselfishly done for so many here in Australia and worlwide!
    So THANKS, your Eminence. We will always remember you with much appreciation for what you have done for so many all your life!
    Life ain't just for the privileged,the planned ,the perfect! Life is also for all members of the one true faith the one true Church that you so ably and generously took care of!
    Kennedys, a simple family of five, Melbourne Australaia
    

    Posted By: KENNEDY FAMILY MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA

15. I think some doubt must accompany this report, but if your look at the ages of the Prefects of Congregations and Presidents of Councils there's quite a few who are 75+ or about to hit that age. Maybe it is more likely that an existing Prefect would be moved into such a sensitive post as the Congregation for Bishops for no other reason than having the benefit of an extensive background of working within the curia. The three previous Prefects have had long experience within the curia. There may be a sizeable shake-up afoot. His Eminence could then take a less 'senior' position position, and it would still give him a front-row seat at the next conclave. I am not going to indulge in the name calling or the far-right claptrap that has happened earlier, and it seems to me that G Pell has always been more suited to working within complex power structures than with widely differing people in a pastoral context. He is unlikely to be so polarizing in Rome, or allowed to be.

    Posted By: Jeffrey

16. Gina: Cynical, uncharitable and short sighted comment. Both Coleridge and Fisher will confirm the good leadership of Pell.
    Amelia: Think again. God has intervened to give Pell to us and Catholicism [as distinct from cafeteria catholicism] has benefitted greatly.
    Rob Doran: Apart from malevolence, what other charitable pursuit would you like to give as example?
    Jeff Kevin: You could pray with a sincere heart and accept that as Pell has remained in communion with the Magisterium, incl the Pope (see LG Christus Dominus and other Vat II docs you think you know) accept that just perhaps your characterisation is wrong.
    There's a pattern to all these vitriolic comments, isn't there?

    Posted By: Chris Saidou

17. What hope has the church got when there are so many nasty comments made against the Cardinal who has served the Church in the best way he could.
    Best if these people all meet up and form there own church and let the Holy Spirit look after the Catholic Church, and not a ratbag minority.

    Posted By: Marcus

18. Clerics and their power focus! Don't you just love it?

    Posted By: paul

19. I have no idea if Cardinal Pell is bound for Rome. If it comes to pass, I would think Bp Fisher most likely, given that most organisers of WYD have ended up as Cardinals ... and Sydney Archbishops have mostly been elevated thus. Also, who would argue that he has not the substance? BTW, he's not originally a Melbourne boy, unless you count his Diaconal ordination.

    Posted By: Gareth

20. Well, Australia House, you have your new resident! Since Pell has been here in Sydney, it would seem that most of the new Bishops who have been installed in NSW Dioceses, are almost cloned from Pell. God help us, and God help the world if he has anything to do in advising the Pope on who should be new Bishops.
    Opus Dei, you have never had it so good! You now have a top bloke barracking for your outfit! I would be so pleased to see the back of Pell, out of Sydney. He would thrive among the cold-blooded clerics who live by the letter of the law, and who believe that the clock should be turned back. As I think of it, he can take his stone altar in the Cathedral with him. As for a successor here in Sydney...how about a really real, down to earth, and wholesome Bishop like Peter Ingham as Archbishop of Sydney? Now we are talking! As for Fisher, come off the grass! Some good, solid Parish life in Mt Druitt would bring out some humanity in him. As for Mark in Canberra, he would love the job here in Sydney, but get his hands dirty...no way! We want a NSW bloke as Archbishop of Sydney, Yes!

    Posted By: Joseph Vincent Walsh

21. His Eminence Cardinal Pell has been the voice of orthodox Catholicism in Australia suffering “insult and hate” along the way. His courage has been inspiring. If the report is true, farewell and thank you. May your replacement be of the same strength of character.

    Posted By: farewell??

22. One can easily resent Cardinal Pell, as many here do, but let us be frank - it is resentment of Catholic doctrine. One may reject what he promulgates, which reveals a Protestant or irreligious stand, but the ad hominem approach here is "coarse and lacking in precision" (Regensburg address). A Catholic is identically one who believe what the Catholic Church teaches.

    Posted By: J.Pelham

23. Which place in the world can he do less damage?

    Posted By: Kathy

24. With a bit of luck, they'll make him the next Pope. Thank you, and best wishes, your Eminence.

    Posted By: Invictus Maneo

25. To Rob Doran:
    Your comment is one of the most un-Christian comments I have read on this website. You are in for a big surprise my friend when you move into the next life and discover that Our Lord is eternally more orthodox then George Cardinal Pell.
    Cardinal Pell is nothing more then a devout Catholic who teaches and upholds the teaching of the Magesterium.
    Peace

    Posted By: bee jay

26. Who knew that the talent well in Catholicism was so shallow nowdays?

    Posted By: Mark.

27. I hope George finds peace and love in Rome. I think it was scarce in Sydney.

    Posted By: bill

28. Some of the aggression and un-Christian comments in this section astound me! We must support our leaders with all their faults. As for Cardinal Pell, I do not wish to be the sinner to cast the rock! What I detest is the Cardinal's aggressive and controversial leadership style, his inability to solve the Redfern Parish situation, his mostly off the mark comments as a citizen in the weekend Daily Telegraph copied in the Catholic Weekly instead of spiritual nourishment, and finally his Vox Clara contributions to a shocking result of the English translation of the liturgy. I wish the Cardinal all the blessings in his new position - he may learn from his time in Australia!

    Posted By: Peter Meury

29. Dear BDP: I think you will find that Bishop Fisher is originally from Sydney, and I think, Sydney-educated.

    Posted By: Anthony

30. I am deeply saddened by a lot of comments that have been made in regards to the supposed selection of Cardinal Pell to the Roman Curia. There have been times when I have felt that Cardinal Pell could have been more discreet and circumspect in his comments. There were times when I wished he had not said anything, but one thing I have not taken umbrage with him is his loyalty to the one holy and apostolic Catholic Church.
    All of us have our own conceived ideas what the Church is or should be. One thing can be certain is that if you have a responsible position as has Cardinal George Pell you should be faithful to the Church's teachings that are based on the Gospel values. It's the way you go about implementing and living according to those values that you can be judged,
    Cardinal Pell has endeavoured to live to Gospel values. Whether he can live to them better is for God to judge.
    There are too many Catholics who are quick to judge.
    For the love of God, try not to judge others.

    Posted By: Alfred

31. Rumours - why so much comment! Whether he goes or stays does not really matter. Priests and people will get on with the ministry of Spreading the
    Good News of Jesus Christ.
    Nothing else really matters.
    People come and go, but the Message remains the same!

    Posted By: Davidanthony Davies.

32. Such cynicism has nothing to do with Christianity... nor Jesus Christ. Different bishops hold different positions to me, yet I respect their office and I look to the good that they are doing. Vitriolic sledging of Cardinal Pell is really bad manners... Catholic or not.
    Tell us, what are you doing to stand up for what is right in your little 'patch'... when was the last time you said or did something unpopular to defend higher values?

    Posted By: Claire C.

33. The Lord must weep at the gross uncharity of so many subscribers to CathNews. We are blessed with His grace at every moment of our lives, and yet can show such animosity towards His representative in the Church in Australia. God help those who are asked to shoulder responsibility in our Holy Catholic Church, they can expect little indulgence from many so called "catholics". Whatever the Lord has in store for Cardinal Pell, may He continue to strengthen and encourage him.

    Posted By: Ro Ro

34. The great many himself once told me that if I wasn't being persecuted I wasn't doing it right. Judging by the vitriol on this page - I reckon he is doing it right!
    The rumours have been around at least a year. Ten years ago he was also supposed to have been in the running for a Roman job.
    I wish the good Cardinal well, but I will seriously miss him as a friend, mentor and defender of the Catholic faith.

    Posted By: Cas

35. Having seen the mess Pell unleashed - supporting Opus Dei and the NeoCats, especially letting the NeoCats loose on the Redfern Parish (while I was living nearby at the time)- I'd be glad to see the back of him.
    
    He might be learned but he has demonstrated little care to the scandals unleashed in recent times and relies on an attitude of superiority. None of these help anyone grow in faith one bit.

    Posted By: DeanB

36. Sad to read all these negative comments. Better the devil you know than the one you don’t. The movement of clergy is beyond the desires of the average parishioner. We don’t get a say, so we just take what we get and do the best we can. Rumors are rumors. Whoever comes after Pell I pray will be a people's man and prepared to discuss and mediate.

    Posted By: Edward J

37. There are some of us out here who would not be regarded as conservative who have experienced Cardinal Pell in pastoral situations with the truly poor and marginalised-street people and those living with mental illness and drug addiction. He has willingly and effectively engaged with them and formed friendships. He gives generously of his time and is a good 'active listener'. If he were to go to Rome, he would be greatly and sincerely missed on the streets of Sydney.

    Posted By: SB

38. Nitpick, BDP! +Fisher is not "originally from Melbourne." He was born and grew up (so far as I know) in the Northern part of Sydney. He happened to be in Melbourne as the Dominican master of students.
    But I will point out that these rumours have been around for a long time. They haven't been true in the past, and I don't think they will prove true this time.

    Posted By: Adeodatus

39. Such un-Christian comments indicate the need for a change of name..'CATlics'.

    Posted By: M.M.

40. And life will go on as it always has; none of us is indispensable.

    Posted By: TJ Lawson

41. I agree that George Pell is not perfect, but if the "progressive" lefties hate him, then he's obviously doing something right. Could it be that the Vatican has recognised this...

    Posted By: Nathan Socci

42. I am friends with a retired Uniting Church minister from Melbourne. He told me that when it comes to the selection of the next Pope, Cardinal Pell will be among those considered.
    Perhaps my good friend George is correct.
    (Please note: I make no comment on the suitability of Cardinal Pell for the post in the Roman Curia.)

    Posted By: Peter

43. T J Lawson: You said quite ironically, given your own views on things, that "none of us is indispensable". Now that is exactly the view of many corporations and employers concerning their staff. In my Dad's day this wasn't the case in Australia.
    Today, life for workers is getting harder because of the minimalist industrial frameworks now in place from both Coalition and ALP governments.
    Cardinal Pell hs not moved beyond safe minimalism in his fine words of support for unions and workers. He needs to say much more about structural changes to legislation and policy that actually would be a call for restoration of worke financial benefits.
    Today most workers are getting either very tiny or NIL pay increases even from employers who are earning huge profits. Cardinal Pell, you are not off the hook in my book.

    Posted By: Michael Webb

44. I am stunned by the ferocity, irrationality and viciousness of the attacks against anyone who is, or is perceived as being, influenced by anything or anyone outside of New South Wales. And they call some of the other states parochial! It seems some commenters here would be happy only with a "NewSouthWales-ican" denomination which is free from all influence from the Holy See or any other part of the Universal Church.

    Posted By: Peter G

45. At least no one could accuse Cardinal Pell of being a mealy-mouthed yes-man who has sat on his hands for the past eight years. Some enemies of the Church would like to see a totally ineffective archbishop who doesn't cause any waves! Not me!
    Whether you like it or not, EVERYONE knows who the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Sydney is, as opposed to previous years.
    Trouble is, EVERYONE also has an opinion about him; an opinion which is most often completely wrong.

    Posted By: eulalia

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