CP 292 Two prominent Australians and controversy

 

CP 292 Two prominent Australians and controversy

There are many prominent Australians who generate strong emotions in the population. Among them are church leaders and political leaders. In this CrossPurposes I want to comment on one thing former Prime Minister Tony Abbott did do, and one thing Cardinal George Pell said he would not do.

My comments are not about politics. Repeat: This is not about politics. Rather it’s about something that goes to the heart of our faith. I would welcome your thoughts about what I have to say. Let me begin with Mr Abbott. What did he do? In early December 2019 he was filmed walking out of a Victorian prison after having visited Cardinal Pell. He was loudly and roundly condemned for doing so and some labelled his conduct shameful. I didn’t think it was shameful at all. The super-righteous reaction by sections of the media caused a particular passage from Matthew’s Gospel had sprung to mind:

‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ (Matthew 25:35-36)

Personally I had no problem with Mr Abbott’s visit. He was visiting a long-time friend in a private capacity. It had nothing to do with Cardinal Pell’s guilt or otherwise. Regardless of whether Cardinal Pell was guilty or not, Mr Abbott’s visit was an appropriate Christian thing to do. Frankly, I hope that if I ever found myself in prison, for whatever reason, someone among you would come and visit me. Isn’t that what you would want for yourself, or your son or daughter or brother or sister, regardless of the reason they were in prison? In my mind, Mr Abbott was living his faith convictions.

I had a similar reaction when a Cronulla Sharks footballer, Andrew Fifita, visited a young man in a NSW prison at Cessnock, earlier in 2019. That young man was undeniably guilty of a wanton act of manslaughter. Years earlier, Andrew Fifita had been that young man’s Rugby League coach. Mr Fifita was publically condemned for making the visit and was also warned by NSW Police for consorting with known criminals. Now I don’t know all the ins and outs of these things but again, every Christ instinct in me says it is right to visit someone in prison.

Now, to something Cardinal Pell said he would not do. After former Prime Minister Julia Gillard called a Royal Commission into child sexual abuse in Australian institutions, Cardinal Pell in turn held a Press Conference in Sydney. The Herald-Sun reported on it this way in November 2012: ‘Cardinal Pell yesterday welcomed the royal commission into sexual abuse and said he would front the commission if called on - but openly advised priests to avoid hearing confessions of sexual abuse from fellow priests to help preserve the sanctity of the confessional… "If the priest knows beforehand about such a situation, the priest should refuse to hear the confession," Cardinal Pell said yesterday. "I would never hear the confession of a priest who's suspected of such a thing."

I was gob-smacked by those remarks in 2012. I’m still gob-smacked by them today. Bear with me as I explain why.

Understand that in Roman Catholic teaching and Canon Law, the absolution for the forgiveness of sin is in the authority and call of the Priest, through the Bishops and Cardinals, back to the Pope. You may or may not agree but that is the teaching. Without the absolution there is no forgiveness.

The Cardinal’s words imply that forgiveness should not be available to priest-offenders. How does that fit with the knowledge and conviction that Christ came as the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world?

I know that this is one of the most painful issues of our generation. I’m not for one moment minimising the sin, especially by those with authority over vulnerable people, especially children. The lives of too many people have been reduced to lifelong misery as a result of such sins. I loathe the sin too. But I find it deeply disturbing that a leader / teacher of the faith could exercise his sacred office in such an arbitrary way. Forgive me if I’m wrong, but within that faith context it appears to mean that forgiveness is not to be made available in those circumstances. I believe that’s a denial of the faith he represents.

I know this is a sensitive subject for so many. However I am also called to represent the heart of the Father in sending the Son. Calvary speaks forgiveness for all who repent and believe. Of course there must be justice, and, painfully, often the ‘little people’ of our societies never see it. Our hearts weep. But please, in our rage and broken-ness let’s not lose sight of Him whose love desired redemption for all. Difficult as it is, we Christians bear the name of Christ, and his mission, in the world.

On the other hand, I am inspired and challenged by the response of a family whose 4 children were killed by a drunk driver not long ago. ‘We forgive him, but we demand full justice!’ Lord give me such a heart.

Be blessed.

Fred