George Pell, go to Hell

May 30, 2001
Issue 

BY SEAN WALSH

George Pell, the newly appointed Catholic archbishop of Sydney, is once again under attack from angry community groups, in particular those at the sharp end of Pell's bigoted, anti-gay and anti-lesbian stick.

Sydney gay and lesbian activist group GLAM protested outside Pell's official investiture on May 10, while Melbourne group QUEER opted for a not-so-traditional Easter Sunday, staging a die-in outside St Patrick's, to highlight the link between homophobia and youth suicide.

Pell's move to Sydney appears to be a political appointment by the Vatican. From the high profile Sydney archdiocese, the new archbishop is now in a position to lead the Catholic church in Australia.

Desperate to boost the ever-shrinking number of church goers, conservative Catholics are pleased with the move. It is expected that Pell will act to rigidly enforce Vatican policy within the Australian church. The Vatican has been highly critical of Australian Catholic leaders for being too influenced by progressive ideas on sex, marriage and morality.

Since taking over as archbishop of Melbourne in 1996, Pell has proven a strong advocate for the ultra-conservative elements of the church. His moralism has been so extreme that progressive figures within the church have had to publicly disagree with his "overtraditionalist outlook" and "too heavily doctrinal stance".

Concern has also been raised about proposed learning tools and literature that Pell is due to have published later this year. The books are intended to shape how religion will be taught to more than 140,000 students in 300 catholic schools. Criticism from educators has branded them as clerical, extremely sexist and moralistic.

Pell has been a skillful manipulator of the media, in 1998 stirring up a tabloid storm when he attempted to ban Andres Serrano's artwork, Piss Christ, and again riding a wave of media controversy in May 2000 when he refused to give communion to gays and lesbians in St Patrick's in Melbourne.

The archbishop's homophobia has not been confined to church ceremonies. In one instance, when asked about how the church will address the issue of homophobia in schools, Pell responded "We will be doing nothing to encourage the spread of the gay agenda in Catholic schools and we will be consistently working to oppose it".

When asked if he was concerned with the effects of homophobia on youth he responded, "If [youth suicides] are connected with homosexuality, then that is another reason to be discouraging people going in that direction".

Pell further outraged gays and lesbians as well as AIDS activists when, on one occasion, he referred to homosexuality as "being a greater risk than smoking".

Pell has also actively campaigned against women's rights, being outspoken in his support for the traditional role of women in the nuclear family.

Pell's agenda is not only a tool for the church but also a weapon for the government. Figures such as the archbishop help the major parties to justify their own homophobic and sexist policies, by allowing party leaders to point to "attitudes in the community" and "respectable community leaders".

It is vital that not only gay and lesbian groups but also all other social sectors and movements unite to denounce Pell and his regressive agenda. His bigotry is dangerous and further threatens sections of the community already under sustained attack.

The church itself needs to be accountable for its actions, including by taking a pro-active stance in the fight against homophobia and sexism and by recalling bigoted church leaders responsible for the propagation of destructive ideologies.

You need Green Left, and we need you!

Green Left is funded by contributions from readers and supporters. Help us reach our funding target.

Make a One-off Donation or choose from one of our Monthly Donation options.

Become a supporter to get the digital edition for $5 per month or the print edition for $10 per month. One-time payment options are available.

You can also call 1800 634 206 to make a donation or to become a supporter. Thank you.