I am so sad to hear of the death of George Card. Pell at 81 years.
I got along quite well with him years ago, because he was involved in the Vox Clara committee working on the English translation of the Novus Ordo Missale Romanum. He and other members referred to my columns from The Wanderer. We had some chances to meet and talk.
The latest chance was in Rome a couple months ago. Card. Pell consecrated my chalice after it was regilded. I told him then that it would always think of him and of Card. Mayer (who originally consecrated it) when I used it for Mass.
I was deeply moved by his “prison diaries”, which if you haven’t looked at, you should.
PRISON JOURNAL – Vol. 1 – Ignatius Press US HERE – UK HERE
I had great hopes that he would be a main player in the lead up to the next conclave.
Please, in your goodness, stop and say a prayer for Card. Pell.
His appearance on EWTN after the death of Benedict XVI was terrific.. exactly one week ago as I write. Card. Pell summarized something I saw Ratzinger/Benedict do many times in conferences or meetings. He would take all points or questions and summarize them and then start responding one by one to the people who raised them. It was breathtaking to watch his mind work. He would look down, at first, his hand making points in the air before him. Then he would look up and engage the people with their answers.
Here is Card. Pell ONE WEEK AGO…
And… GO TO CONFESSION!
You do not know the day or the hour of your meeting with the Just Judge.
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Absolutely astonishing!!! Rest in peace Cardinal Pell! I remember when he sent that video message thanking all your readers for praying for him. Very touching.
Go to confession.
We don’t know the day or the hour.
Shocked when I learnt of his passing earlier this evening.
2 great and true Shepherds of souls have left us within days, I am deeply saddened.
When the addresses of the 2 prisons His Eminence was kept in, we’re made known on twitter I wrote him twice and I hope he read my notes of esteem, respect and prayer for him at that horrific time.
Like PBXVI he suffered for the faith and was betrayed by evil forces inside and outside the church.
May he rest in peace.
I hate to be a Debbie downer… but it does occur to me that the Lord tends to “gather in” certain people before He permits a tribulation, because those certain people have already done plenty and are now to be spared.
OTOH, it’s not like we don’t have plenty of good examples to guide our conduct, from in Scripture and in history, as well as among our humbler, wiser peers. We just need to pull up our big-boy and big-girl pants, and get ready for whatever comes.
But it could just be that it was Cardinal Pell’s time to go. I’m sure he lived his life ready to go, so it’s not like it was a problem for him.
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One of the strongest and most esteemed Catholic priests in Oz, despite the media slandering he has copped these past years.
” hate to be a Debbie downer… but it does occur to me that the Lord tends to “gather in” certain people before He permits a tribulation, because those certain people have already done plenty and are now to be spared”
I’ve been thinking that for some time, even before Pope Benedict XVI passing.
God reward this extraordinary man, a white martyr. He stood out among his confreres for his sterling authenticity. I admired him much — he has been in my morning offering by name for years. God reward him abundantly.
@Suburbanbanshee:
I was thinking along similar lines. The Lord seems to be taking all the good ones.
I had just finished volume 3 of his prison diaries a few weeks ago. I rushed through it quicker than the others, even though I knew the outcome. Cardinal Pell’s passing is a great loss for the Church.