A bit of top news

Don't know how many of you know about this, but there was a fundraiser dealy to send 15 survivors and support staff to Rome to stare down Cardinal Scumbag, whoops I mean Cardinal Pell, in relation to sexual abuse by clergy in Ballarat. The original goal was to raise ~$55,000.

At the end of the fundraising deadline, ~$203,000 was raised. How marvelous is that! I may find some faith in humanity, yet. You can read more about it here:

Click here to support Send Ballarat Survivors To Rome by Meshel Laurie

From the link:

"It’s the fact that our support for the survivors has come as a wonderful surprise to so many of them. They’ve told me repeatedly in the last week that they didn’t think we in the wider community cared about them. They thought we didn’t want to know about what happened to them, but your donations changed that.

You’ve made them feel cared for and like what happened to them mattered to all of us. You’ve genuinely changed these people’s lives. Never forget that."

*wipes away tear* I seem to have gotten something in my eye...

 

I heard the song about George Pell today on radio. Can't recall who wrote it but it's bloody funny.

I met George Pell at primary school in 1993. He came into our classroom to talk about his role in the church. Never really liked him. Something about him just isn't right.

I dare say I'll be seeing him in hell!

 

Tim Minchin

 

Who also sings ones of the best Christmas songs ever. Makes me tear up.

 

Interesting that for someone who is too ill to fly first class he can still hold his position in the church.

He is two down from the Pope - an equivalent position would be secretary of state for the US.

 

I saw him on the opera house steps last year, a very funny man.

Not sure i want to open this can of worms, but it would almost appear he isn't been entirely truthful about his condition or a great number of other things.

 

It must have been a highlight of your primary school edumucation.

 

I even had front row seats. I would have been 8 at the time and remember thinking something isn't right with him.

 

Almost appear? You think?
Let's not sit too firmly on the fence here.
Of course he should and could appear. How about he has shown utter contempt for the victims of his church.

 

I clicked on this link without knowing what it was. Yeah that whole can't travel thing is such a load of BS.

 

Echoes of Christopher Skase...

 

The intonation of my comment didn't work in text. It is clear that a great number of people are been deliberately dishonest about what happened and what they knew.

 

Of course, someone's medical records should be private to the public. But if Pell is chucking a 'sickie' then he needs more than 'suffering from a medical condition' in a private medical cert to the enquiry.

If he can't handle the pressurisation of air travel he could always get here by ship. IMO the money raised would be better spent getting him here than sending victims to the Vatican (where their ability to sit in on the proceeds is questionable anyway).

The plot thickens:

It's all a bit moot as he doesn't need to cooperate. There is no extradition treaty between oz and the Vatican.

I must echo what Geoff said, the man deserves natural justice.

 

Just turn up to the enquiry, simple.

 

What do they do with the remaining150k odd

 

I saw that and actually donated. The least these people deserve is to watch him squirm under their beady little eyes while he gives evidence. He deserves to rot in hell for just shifting paedophiles from area to area and not doing anything about their activities. How many children's lives were ruined from his lack of action?

 

A trust fund is being set up to ensure ongoing funding for counselling for victims and their families.

 

Not been convicted as yet so at this stage it is all allegations

 

Of course. In which case, having the Ballarat people there shouldn't worry him in the slightest