Thousands gathered at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney to pray and pay tribute to Cardinal George Pell a year after his death in Rome. Source: The Catholic Weekly.
Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP, the principal celebrant at the memorial Mass for Cardinal Pell, said that no Australian has done more for the Church worldwide.
The archbishop concelebrated the Solemn Pontifical Requiem Mass on the first anniversary of the cardinal’s entrance to eternal life on January 10 with Hobart Archbishop Julian Porteous, Sydney Auxiliary Bishop Terence Brady, vicar general Fr Gerald Gleeson and dozens of priests from Sydney and beyond.
Present were relatives, friends and colleagues of the cardinal, with others following the early evening Mass via livestream.
A diverse congregation filled the cathedral, including many young families, university students, professionals, religious brothers and sisters, seminarians and clergy.
In his homily, Archbishop Fisher recalled Pope Francis’ recent praise of the cardinal, in which he mentioned the “zeal, conviction, determination and vision” of “our much-mourned brother George.”
“He said the cardinal understood what was needed regarding Vatican financial reforms,” the archbishop said.
Archbishop Fisher also praised Cardinal Pell’s “unwavering commitment to the truth and consistent willing of the good” and promotion of morality and religion in a world immersed in secularism and relativism.
This won him “many friends and not a few enemies.”
In a touching moment at the end of the Mass, the entire congregation followed the closing procession to the crypt below to pause for a moment or remain for short prayers led by Archbishop Fisher at the cardinal’s tomb.
FULL STORY
Sydney remembers Cardinal George Pell on first anniversary of his death (By Marilyn Rodrigues, The Catholic Weekly)
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