Protest and Prayers at Catholic Cardinal’s Funeral

The funeral of former Archbishop of Sydney George Pell was held at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney today.

While the faithful gathered in the cathedral forecourt, a group of LGBTQI+ rights activists and abuse survivors convened in Hyde Park, across the road from the funeral venue.

Cardinal Pell was found guilty in 2018 of child abuse charges and served 404 days in jail before the High Court of Australia quashed the charges in 2020. Cardinal Pell was subsequently released.

A Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse found that Cardinal Pell, whilst serving in regional Victoria in the 1970s, was aware of clergy involved in the sexual abuse of children, but did not sufficiently address the issue.

The faithful gather in the forecourt outside St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney.

Catholics praying the Rosary in the forecourt of St Mary’s Cathedral.

Protesters holding banners in support of LGBTQI+ rights in Hyde Park, across the road from St Mary’s Cathedral.

Police detain a protester.

Police detain a protester.

The police line between protesters and the cathedral.

Catholics holding rosary beads and bibles as protesters march past the crowd.

Protesters marching along College Street, near St Mary’s Cathedral.