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Cardinal

The Rise and Fall of George Pell

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Cardinal

By: Louise Milligan
Narrated by: Louise Milligan, Thomas Keneally
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About this listen

The book suppression has now lifted, and multi-award winning Cardinal is available for listeners for the first time, with new revelations and a foreword by Thomas Keneally.

Cardinal George Pell, Australia's most powerful Catholic, has been found guilty of five sexual crimes against children. He is the most senior Catholic figure in the world to be charged by police and convicted of child sex offences. The abuse involved choirboys at Melbourne's St Patrick's Cathedral.

George Pell was a Ballarat boy who studied at Oxford and rose through the Catholic Church ranks to become adviser to Pope Francis and Vatican treasurer. He has been expelled from the Pope's inner circle of trusted cardinals. As an outspoken defender of church orthodoxy, supported and championed by the powerful, Pell's ascendancy was remarkable and seemingly unstoppable. As the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse brought to light horrific stories about sexual abuse of the most vulnerable, Pell portrayed himself as the first man in the Catholic Church to tackle the problem. But questions about what the Cardinal knew, and when, persisted.

Louise Milligan pieces together decades of disturbing activities highlighting Pell's actions and cover-ups. The book is a testament to the most intimate stories of complainants. Many people entrusted their secrets to be told here for the first time. Multi-award-winning Cardinal reveals uncomfortable truths about a culture of sexual entitlement, abuse of trust and how ambition can silence evil.

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©2017 Louise Milligan (P)2019 Audible Studios
Christian Living Christianity True Crime
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I read the first edition of this book the day after it was published and did the same with Louise Milligan's reading of the updated edition. I'm sure i'm not the only Ballarat resident and ex-Catholic who did this. It is brave, articulate and above all motivated by a deep empathy for the survivors of this abominable era in the Ballarat Diocese and across the country. You can hear the emotion in the narration frequently as Milligan describes the "undescribable" and the impact. This story of Pell describes a character that no writer of fiction would get away with. His presence and impact over decades is beyond extraordinary. Even if the sequence didn't end in the repulsive conviction that it did, Milligan paints a character portrait of a man who is up to his ears in the cover ups and denial that has left so many broken and in despair. Jus twenty years in this country this book would not have been written, let alone published. Milligan's relentless bravery gives survivors the hope that they are believed and cared for.

Outstanding investigative journalism of dark saga

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A remarkable yet disturbing recount of history. This story is shocking and abominable however it had to be told. A brilliant script of work by Louise Milligan and after a rushed start in her narration, she settled in and read beautifully. Louise deserves all the accolades and awards she has received for this brilliant document.

This story had to be told !

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This book goes well beyond the case directly involving Pell to expose the systemic abuses of the Catholic Church. The evidence disclosed is damning and, even if you are unable to accept Pell’s guilt in respect of direct sexual abuse, his complicity in the wider cover up is simply appalling. The author does a good job of explaining evidence and describing sources without slipping into “trauma porn.” I felt it was a balanced effort. The narration has a very journalistic rhythm and tone, which is not surprising, but am not sure it is the best approach for an audiobook.

Detailed and comprehensive

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Listening to this book was a harrowing experience, but I am glad of it. Stories of clergy abuse and about Ballarat have been part of the back drop of my life in Melbourne for years, but as an atheist living in secular circles it was never a focus. The allegations against Pell changed that and this book is a thorough and painstakingly researched account of Pell’s life. More importantly however, Cardinal is a reminder of how power corrupts; and a reminder of the responsibility of every citizen to protect children, challenge authority and to look after each other.

The full story

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Milligan’s storytelling and investigative journalism is seconded only by her empathy and warmth in this must-read look at what is to be the most significant issue of our time.
It is an impressive balancing act as she brings the anguish of victims and families to life while never starting from her rigorous, evidence-based reporting.

Empathic and insightful. A fine piece of writing

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