Prison Journal, Volume 3
Subtitle: The High Court Frees an Innocent Man
Publisher: Ignatius Press
Published: December 8, 2021
Language: eng
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 339
ISBN-13: 9781621644514
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.

In this third and final volume, Cardinal Pell's conviction is overturned by Australia's High Court, and he is released from prison. As his appeal draws near, he grows in confidence that his case is strong and that his vindication is important not only for his own sake and the Church's sake, but also for the sake of Australia's legal system. While continuing his daily readings and devotions, and receiving hundreds of letters with offers of prayers and sacrifices on his behalf, the cardinal ponders the meaning of suffering in the life of the Christian, and he determines to accept with equanimity whatever outcome lies ahead.
Table of contents: title: Chronology; label: Week 41:
title: Advent Begins; label: Week 42:
title: Breaking News at the Vatican; label: Week 43:
title: A Blessing beyond Anticipation; label: Week 44:
title: Christmas in Prison; label: Week 45:
title: Appeal Moves Forward; label: Week 46:
title: A New Jail; label: Week 47:
title: Solitary No Longer; label: Week 48:
title: Our Unusual Situation; label: Week 49:
title: Australian Sympathies; label: Week 50:
title: Currents for Good and Ill; label: Week 51:
title: Optimism but No Certainty; label: Week 52:
title: A Devastating Argument; label: Week 53:
title: Lent Again; label: Week 54:
title: The Path of Forgiveness; label: Week 55:
title: A Final Appeal; label: Week 56:
title: Awaiting the Decision; label: Week 57:
title: Silence So Far; label: Week 58:
title: Old Accusations Resurface; label: Week 59:
title: Convictions Quashed; title: Afterword; title: More from Ignatius Press; title: Notes