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'George Pell is the most recognisable face of the Australian Catholic Church. He was the Ballarat boy with the film-star looks who studied at Oxford and rose through the ranks to become the Vatican's indispensable 'Treasurer'. As an outspoken defender of church orthodoxy, 'Big George's' ascendancy within the clergy was remarkable and seemingly unstoppable.
'The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse has brought to light horrific stories about sexual abuse of the most vulnerable and provoked public anger at the extent of the cover-up. George Pell has always portrayed himself as the first man in the Church to tackle the problem. But questions about what the Cardinal knew, and when, have persisted.
'The nation's most prominent Catholic is now the subject of a police investigation into allegations spanning decades that he too abused children. Louise Milligan is the only Australian journalist who has been privy to the most intimate stories of complainants.
'She pieces together a series of disturbing pictures of the Cardinal's knowledge and his actions, many of which are being told here for the first time.
'Conspiracy or cover-up? Cardinal uncovers uncomfortable truths about a culture of sexual entitlement, abuse of trust and how ambition can silence evil. ' (Publication summary)
Notes
-
This book was withdrawn from sale in Victoria while Cardinal Pell faced charges of historical sexual abuse in that state. A committal mention hearing was scheduled to begin on 6 October 2017.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Other Formats
- Large print.
- Dyslexic edition.
Works about this Work
-
Australia in Three Books
2022
single work
review
— Appears in: Meanjin , December vol. 81 no. 4 2022; (p. 16-19)
— Review of Cardinal : The Rise and Fall of George Pell 2017 single work biography ; Night Games : Sex, Power and Sport 2013 single work prose ; Tracker 2017 single work biography -
y
At Home with Louise Milligan
Astrid Edwards
(interviewer),
2020
23452371
2020
single work
podcast
interview
'Louise Milligan is an investigative reporter for ABC TV's Four Corners. Her first book was Cardinal: The rise and fall of George Pell (2017), which won the Walkley Book Award and broke massive international news about the court case and successive and ultimately successful appeals involving one of the most senior members of the Catholic Church hierarchy.
'Her second book is Witness: An investigation into the brutal cost of seeking justice (2020). Among many awards for her work, she's also the recipient of the 2019 Press Freedom Medal.
'Louise mentions her ongoing professional relationship with her publisher Louise Adler, who has been a guest on The Garret before.'(Production introduction)
-
Pell's Trajectory : Australia's Most Polarising Religious Leader
2017
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , October no. 395 2017; (p. 16-17)
— Review of Cardinal : The Rise and Fall of George Pell 2017 single work biography'George Pell is the most polarising religious leader Australia has had in recent decades, certainly since Daniel Mannix – perhaps since Samuel Marsden. For most of his career he has been loathed or adored for his sternly inflexible defence of a Catholic orthodoxy predating the second Vatican Council, his robust and sometimes courageous interaction with opponents inside and outside the church, his relentless determination to crush dissent and doubt, often felt as bullying by those responsible to him, and his fierce ambition.' (Introduction)
-
[Review] Cardinal : The Rise and Fall of George Pell
2017
single work
review
— Appears in: TSIR , June no. 5 2017;
— Review of Cardinal : The Rise and Fall of George Pell 2017 single work biography -
Beyond Belief
2017
single work
essay
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 10 June 2017; (p. 16) 'A new book on George Pell is fair-minded yet forensic, writes Gerard Windsor'
-
[Review] Cardinal : The Rise and Fall of George Pell
2017
single work
review
— Appears in: TSIR , June no. 5 2017;
— Review of Cardinal : The Rise and Fall of George Pell 2017 single work biography -
Pell's Trajectory : Australia's Most Polarising Religious Leader
2017
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , October no. 395 2017; (p. 16-17)
— Review of Cardinal : The Rise and Fall of George Pell 2017 single work biography'George Pell is the most polarising religious leader Australia has had in recent decades, certainly since Daniel Mannix – perhaps since Samuel Marsden. For most of his career he has been loathed or adored for his sternly inflexible defence of a Catholic orthodoxy predating the second Vatican Council, his robust and sometimes courageous interaction with opponents inside and outside the church, his relentless determination to crush dissent and doubt, often felt as bullying by those responsible to him, and his fierce ambition.' (Introduction)
-
Australia in Three Books
2022
single work
review
— Appears in: Meanjin , December vol. 81 no. 4 2022; (p. 16-19)
— Review of Cardinal : The Rise and Fall of George Pell 2017 single work biography ; Night Games : Sex, Power and Sport 2013 single work prose ; Tracker 2017 single work biography -
Beyond Belief
2017
single work
essay
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 10 June 2017; (p. 16) 'A new book on George Pell is fair-minded yet forensic, writes Gerard Windsor' -
y
At Home with Louise Milligan
Astrid Edwards
(interviewer),
2020
23452371
2020
single work
podcast
interview
'Louise Milligan is an investigative reporter for ABC TV's Four Corners. Her first book was Cardinal: The rise and fall of George Pell (2017), which won the Walkley Book Award and broke massive international news about the court case and successive and ultimately successful appeals involving one of the most senior members of the Catholic Church hierarchy.
'Her second book is Witness: An investigation into the brutal cost of seeking justice (2020). Among many awards for her work, she's also the recipient of the 2019 Press Freedom Medal.
'Louise mentions her ongoing professional relationship with her publisher Louise Adler, who has been a guest on The Garret before.'(Production introduction)
Awards
- 2018 winner Melbourne Prize — Civic Choice Award
- 2018 shortlisted Davitt Award — Best Debut
- 2018 highly commended Davitt Award — Best True Crime Book
- 2018 shortlisted Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA) — Small Publishers' Adult Book of the Year
- 2017 winner Walkley Award — Best Non-Fiction Book