Queen honours Cardinal Pell

CARDINAL GEORGE Pell of Sydney has received the highest Australian award in the Queen’s birthday honours list, writes Dan Frank. Cardinal Pell was among seven people who received the Companion of the Order of Australia, which he was given for service to the Catholic Church, raising debate on ethical and spiritual matters, education and social justice.
Cardinal Pell said: “It is a recognition of the Catholic contribution to Australian life.” He added: “While I’m very aware of the dark side of Australian life – the treatment of Aborigines, the high abortion rate, sectarianism of the past – I believe these are far outweighed by what Australia has achieved in a couple of hundred years.” Cardinal Pell said that his appreciation of life in Australia was highlighted by his eight years of studying abroad – four in Italy and four in England – and nine years as chairman of Caritas, the relief and development agency.