AUSTRALIA
PerthNow

JOE SPAGNOLO
Political Editor
PerthNow

I AM embarrassed to be a Catholic. It is with a heavy heart that I feel moved to say that. I’ve worn a crucifix around my neck for most of my 51 years — a gift from my devout Catholic Italian grandparents when I was born.

I was baptised Catholic, attended a Catholic primary school at Brunswick Junction, I was an altar boy, and was married in a Catholic Church. My children were baptised Catholic.

But this week, as the eyes of the world focused on Australia’s most senior Catholic, Cardinal George Pell — as he gave evidence to Royal Commission on Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse via video link from Rome — I was underwhelmed by his actions, his words and his attitudes towards victims of crime.

I just wanted to see some sympathy from Pell. I wanted…