Pell’s mixed legacy to Australia

AUSTRALIA
SBS

AAP

Cardinal George Pell leaves Australia for Rome having protected the Catholic church’s financial assets, but at what cost to the human assets?

Cardinal George Pell leaves behind a legacy his church would be proud of – the net assets of the Sydney archdiocese have increased 86 per cent to $190 million since he took over. Gross assets of the archdiocese are now estimated at $1.2 billion.

As the cardinal explained to the royal commission into child sexual abuse every bishop has an obligation to maintain the patrimony his diocese possesses and not to expend it unless forced to do so.

That means make sure what you inherit stays intact and don’t spend it unless you are absolutely forced to by circumstances.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.