The Victorian Premier has made it “very clear” there will be no state memorial service for George Pell, saying he could think of “nothing more distressing” for abuse survivors.
While making an announcement about the removal of level crossings in Melbourne’s west, Daniel Andrews offered his condolences to Pell’s family, friends and colleagues as well as to all victims and survivors of institutional child sexual abuse .
“This will be a difficult time for friends and family … but it will also be a very difficult time for the victim-survivors of institutional child sexual abuse, so our thoughts are with them,” he said.
Premier Daniel Andrews has confirmed there will be no state funeral for George Pell in Victoria. (new)
While a memorial will be held at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney, where the late cardinal will be buried, the NSW government is also believed to have decided against a state memorial.
Andrews said his government would not hold a state memorial service and had not received a request to do so since Pell’s death in Rome on Tuesday.
“There will be no state memorial service,” he said.
“I couldn’t think of anything that would be more distressing for the survivors of the victims than that.”
Andrews said he was being “very clear about this,” with a message for victims and survivors.
“We see you, we believe you, we support you, and you are the center not only of our thoughts, not only of our words, but of our actions,” he said.
“We will never forget the victims-survivors of institutional child sexual abuse at the hands of the Catholic Church.
“We must never forget, never forget that predatory brothers and priests were systematically, consciously, transferred as part of a strategy, from one working-class parish to another.”
The cardinal died at the age of 81 after suffering complications from hip replacement surgery. (Getty)
Andrews declined to comment on the Cardinal’s legacy when asked
“Legacy is a matter for others to judge,” he said.
Minister Dominic Perrottet confirmed today that there will also be no state funeral in NSW.
Following the news of Pell’s death yesterday, Perrottet said it would have left “many … shocked and saddened”.
“This will be a difficult day for the people of our state and country, for those of the Catholic faith and for many others,” he said.
“My thoughts and condolences to all those mourning the death of Cardinal Pell today.”
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