George Pell’s death could renew distress for Ballarat’s child abuse survivors

Colourful ribbons adorn the fence outside St Patrick's Cathedral, Ballarat as a mark of respect for child abuse victims. Photograph: Speed Media/Rex/Shutterstock

As the Vatican announced the death of Australia’s most senior Catholic, Cardinal George Pell, parishioners began filing into St Patrick’s Cathedral in his home town of Ballarat for morning mass.

“People were very reflective. There was a real sense of quiet,” the church’s administrator, father Ed Moloney, said.