Archbishop of Sydney

His Eminence,
Cardinal George Pell
Cardinal Priest of the Title of S. Maria Domenica Mazzarello

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Home > Our Archbishop > Addresses, Statements & Media Releases > Article	Printable Version

Statement on the Sir Thomas Playford Lecture by Mr Alexander Downer

By + Cardinal George Pell
Archbishop of Sydney
28 August 2003

All religious leaders in a democracy like Australia have a right and duty to speak out on public issues. Mr Downer is not denying this.

All citizens have a right to judge whether these views are right or wrong, wise or imprudent.

I have read the full text of Mr Downer’s Sir Thomas Playford Annual Lecture. It is an excellent talk; worth studying.

I do not commit myself to agreeing with every judgement he expressed, but he is correct to point out that some ecclesiastics can get it wrong. One or two do so frequently.

Ref: Mr Downer's Speech