In the Australian vernacular, the word “crucify” is often used as a metaphor to mean to treat very badly.
In my view, Cardinal George Pell was metaphorically crucified by a nascent police state because he was a conservative Christian.
Australia is not a fully fledged police state, but it is ridiculously over-policed and that is getting worse.
But in the hearts of Australian people and in the true spirit of the Christian religion, commitment to freedom and human decency can still be found.
If those values are paramount in learning the lessons of the tragedy of what the Victorian “justice system” did to Cardinal George Pell, then Australia and the world can be better places for the lesson.
If not, I see no decent future for the Western World.
Geoff Fox, 17th April, 2025, Melbourne, Australia
THE CRUCIFIED CARDINAL 