Thousands mourn and remember Cardinal George Pell at Sydney funeral – The Catholic Leader
TheOldRoman
THE late Cardinal George Pell’s funeral Mass drew thousands of mourners, filling Sydney’s St Mary’s Cathedral to capacity yesterday.
Civic leaders, friends, and members of Pell’s family remembered the Australian cardinal’s dedication to the Church and the Gospel and his courage in the face of many obstacles, including more than a year in prison before his exoneration.
“George Pell was my brother. He was a prince of the Church. A good and holy man, and a proud Australian,” David Pell said at the cardinal’s funeral Mass Thursday.
“’Be not afraid’ was George’s motto. These words are mentioned in the Bible 365 times.
“They are powerful words and need to be remembered by us as we continue the daily struggle.”
Remembered: Cardinal Pell’s brother, David Pell, delivered some words of remembrance at his Requiem Mass in Sydney. Photo: Giovanni Portelli / The Catholic Weekly
Addressing the cardinal, he said: “You have fought the good fight. Help us to accept the battle. Rest in peace.”
Cardinal Pell died on January 10 in Rome at the age of 81 from cardiac arrest following complications during hip surgery.
Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney celebrated the Pontifical Mass of Christian Burial at St Mary’s Cathedral.
The liturgy included a specially composed offertory motet by Sir James MacMillan based on the cardinal’s motto Be Not Afraid and the text of Wisdom 3:1–4.
Attending the funeral were 30 bishops, 220 priests, and dozens of seminarians.
The congregation included women religious, theologians, Catholic school teachers, and families.
Representatives of Catholic agencies and ethnic communities were at the Mass, as were the residents of David’s Place, a community for the homeless and marginalised in Sydney.
Archbishop Fisher in his homily described his predecessor Cardinal Pell as a “lion of the Church” who proclaimed the Gospel “shamelessly, vehemently, courageously to the end”.
Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher was the principal celebrant at the Mass. Photo: Giovanni Portelli / The Catholic Weekly
