Brutal and dogmatic, George Pell waged war on sex – even as he abused children

Brutal and dogmatic, George Pell waged war on sex – even as he abused children | David Marr

This prince of the church was a superb political operator. Listing sins and condemning sinners kept him in the news

• Follow live updates on the reaction to Cardinal George Pell’s conviction
•Full report: Pell found guilty of child sexual assault
•Explainer: what has Pell been convicted of?

He was big on sex. Inside and outside the church, George Pell built his career preaching the sex rules of his faith. Intransigence made Pell a celebrity. Standing up to the zeitgeist, demanding obedience, listing sins and condemning sinners kept him in the news.

He was always there with a crisp, dogmatic grab. Universal innocence? “A dangerous myth.” Original sin? “Alive and flourishing.” Drug taking? “Wrong and sinful.” IVF for single mothers? “We are on the verge of creating a whole new generation of stolen children.” That created a most satisfying uproar.

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from The Guardian https://ift.tt/2XlL2Y0

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