MELBOURNE (Australia): Department of Justice of Australia Victoria state is investigating after a letter purportedly written by jailed Cardinal George Pell to his supporters was posted to social media.
The letter was posted on Cardinal George Pell Supporters Twitter account late on Friday evening.
The letter said: “My faith in our God, like yours, is a source of strength.”
“The knowledge that my small suffering can be used for good purposes through being joined to Jesus’ suffering gives me purpose and direction. Challenges and problems in Church life should be confronted in a similar spirit of faith.”
The Twitter account said the letter was the “latest pastoral letter” from Cardinal Pell, who is serving a six-year jail sentence for sexually abusing two choirboys when he was the Catholic archbishop of Melbourne in the 1990s.
Cardinal Pell, 77, has challenged the decision maintaining he is innocent.
Prisoners are allowed to write and receive letters from behind bars, but they are banned from encouraging others to post online on their behalf.
“Prisoners are denied any access to the internet or social media. It is a prison offence to commission other individuals to post something on social media on behalf of a prisoner,” a department spokesperson said.
“The Department of Justice and Community Safety will thoroughly investigate this social media activity.
“Any prisoner found to be contravening prison regulations faces disciplinary action.”
The Twitter post showed two pages of the handwritten letter, which said it was sent from the Melbourne Assessment Prison.
Dear TNT Reader,
At The News Tribe, our mission is to bring you free, independent, and unbiased news and content that keeps you informed and empowered. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism, as we understand that we are a platform for truth.
Apart from independent global news coverage, we also commit our unique focus on the Muslim world. In an age marked by the troubling rise of Islamophobia and widespread misrepresentation of Muslims in Western media, we strive to provide accurate and fair coverage.
But to continue doing so, we need your support. Even a small donation of 1$ can make a big difference. Your contribution will help us maintain the quality of our news and counteract the negative narratives that are so prevalent.
Please consider donating today to ensure we can keep delivering the news that matters. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world, and work towards a more inclusive, informed global society.
Donate Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription