Prison Journal, Volume 1
Subtitle: The Cardinal Makes His Appeal
Publisher: Ignatius Press
Published: December 16, 2020
Language: eng
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 348
ISBN-13: 9781621644484
Description: Innocent!

That final verdict came after George Cardinal Pell endured a gruelling four years of accusations, investigations, trials, public humiliations, and more than a year of imprisonment after being convicted by an Australian court of a crime he did not commit.  

Led off to jail in handcuffs, following his sentencing on March 13, 2019, the 78-year-old Australian prelate began what was meant to be six years in jail for "historical sexual assault offenses". Cardinal Pell endured more than thirteen months in solitary confinement, before the Australian High Court voted 7-0 to overturn his original convictions. His victory over injustice was not just personal, but one for the entire Catholic Church.

Bearing no ill will toward his accusers, judges, prison workers, journalists, and those harbouring and expressing hatred for him, the cardinal used his time in prison as a kind of "extended retreat".  He eloquently filled notebook pages with his spiritual insights, prison experiences, and personal reflections on current events both inside and outside the Church, as well as moving prayers.
Table of contents: title: Introduction; title: Chronology; title: Week 1: Remanded in Custody; title: Week 2: Ash Wednesday in Solitary; title: Week 3: Sentencing; title: Week 4: Sublime Company; title: Week 5: Spiritual Mediocrity; title: Week 6: Eroding Social Capital; title: Week 7: Perfection through Suffering; title: Week 8: Holy Week; title: Week 9: Easter Week; title: Week 10: Divine Mercy; title: Week 11: Hostile Operations; title: Week 12: Questions without Answers; title: Week 13: Daughter of Time; title: Week 14: Looking Ahead; title: Week 15: Appealing the Conviction; title: Week 16: Descent of the Holy Spirit; title: Week 17: Mystery of the Trinity; title: Week 18: Real Presence; title: Week 19: Web of Deceit; title: Week 20: Hopes and Dreams; title: More by Ignatius Press; title: Notes