New Australian cardinal says church must present clear teachings

Published: 2003-10-21

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Preaching the message of Christ and clearly presenting Catholic teaching is the only way to guarantee the continued growth and fidelity of the Catholic Church, said Australia's new cardinal. Just an hour after formally entering the College of Cardinals Oct. 21, Cardinal George Pell of Sydney said he did not need to receive a red hat from Pope John Paul II to feel vindicated for his support of traditional church teaching. "I think my stances are vindicated when they mirror the teachings of Christ and of the Catholic Church," the cardinal told reporters. With his new red biretta sitting on a table crowded with microphones and tape recorders, Cardinal Pell said his new title would not make a great change in how he exercises his ministry in Australia. He said he was and is called "to present Jesus Christ, the Catholic teaching, to try to strengthen the Catholic community and, equally importantly, to strengthen the Catholic contribution to Australian life."

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