The Pell Case: Lessons for Church and State
Friday 25 June 2021 | 7 for 7.30PM
Keynote Speaker:
Fr Frank Brennan SJ AO
Rector of Newman College at the University of Melbourne
Cardinal George Pell pleaded not guilty before a jury to child sexual assault charges in 2018. The public knew little of the proceedings because the trial judge had imposed a suppression order, prohibiting the media from publicising the evidence and court proceedings. Fr Frank Brennan SJ was asked by the Australian Catholic bishops to follow the proceedings and to offer commentary on the conduct of the proceedings once the suppression orders were lifted. The bishops asked that the commentary be seen, as far as possible, to be clear, objective and impartial.
After the initial conviction and then after the unanimous acquittal by the High Court of Australia, Fr Brennan spoke publicly about the proceedings. He has now published a book Observations on the Pell Proceedings. By correcting the gross failures in the Pell case, we might help to relieve the trauma of institutional child sexual abuse. Fr Brennan will propose lessons for both church and state in this year’s St Thomas More Oration. As a society we need to do better, and the legal system needs to play its part, as does the Church, if truth, justice and healing are to be a reality for complainants, victims, and anyone wrongly accused.
Fr Frank Brennan is a Distinguished Fellow of the PM Glynn Institute at Australian Catholic University and an Adjunct Professor at the Thomas More Law School at ACU. He is the author of numerous books on human rights having chaired the Australian Government’s 2009 National Human Rights Consultation and having been a member of the Australian Government’s 2018 Religious Freedom Review. Most recently he has served on the Australian Government’s Senior Advisory Group designing a proposed ‘Indigenous Voice’ for the First Nations Peoples in Australia.
If you are unable to attend this event, Observations of the Pell Proceedings by Fr Frank Brennan SJ can be purchased directly through the publisher at www.connorcourtpublishing.com.au.
Venue:
Mercure Hotel, Limestone Avenue, Braddon ACT 2618
Cost:
$90.00 (Dinner and wine)
Canapes and complimentary glass of sparkling wine on arrival, followed by a two course dinner with a bottle of red and white wine per table and tea/coffee and cake.
RSVP:
Noon Friday 11 June 2021
Enquiries: Parish Office on 0416 823 447 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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