Death of Cardinal George Pell: Daniel Andrews says there will be no state funeral for Cardinal Pell

Daniel Andrews has confirmed there will be no state funeral for Cardinal George Pell because it would be “deeply distressing” for survivors of sexual abuse.

The Vatican announced on Wednesday that the cardinal had died at the age of 81 from heart complications following hip surgery in Rome.

In response to a question about whether the Victorian Government would host a memorial to the cardinal, the Victorian Premier made it clear that no service would be offered.

“I couldn’t think of anything more distressing for the survivors of the victims,” ​​Mr Andrews told reporters on Thursday morning.

Daniel Andrews has confirmed there will be no state funeral for Cardinal George Pell because it would be “deeply distressing” for survivors of sexual abuse

“These things are usually offered and no offer is made.

“I think that would be a deeply disturbing thing for any survivor of child abuse by the Catholic Church.

“That’s my view. And I won’t do that.’

While the date of an official funeral for Cardinal Pell has yet to be announced, Mr Andrews said he doubted he would attend.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also did not confirm if he would be present.

The Vatican announced on Wednesday that the cardinal had died at the age of 81 from heart complications following hip surgery in Rome

Mr Andrews also took the opportunity to offer his support to victims of sexual abuse who were raised in the Catholic Church.

“We should never forget that predatory brothers and priests were deliberately moved around systematically as part of a strategy,” he said.

“We should never forget that.

“We will never forget the survivors of the Catholic Church’s institutional child abuse.”

The Premier shared his thoughts with Cardinal Pell’s family after his death.

Cardinal Pell was convicted of molesting two choirboys in the late 1990s and served 404 days in prison before his conviction was overturned by the High Court in 2020.