ABC TV Q&A Archbishop Pell versus Richard Dawkins

Dawkins won hands down 76% to 24% Archbishop Pell is the highest ranking Catholic in Australia from the Sydney Diocese. he really comes out of this Easter debate badly.

I wish I had just a fraction Richard Dawkins faith.
The guy is just so sure about everything.
He must be one of the happiest men in the world.

I didn't watch it but I knew it was on.

George Pell is very conservative Catholic Bishop who used to be in Melbourne where I live. He mishandled the issue of sexual abuse by the Catholic clergy in Victoria and set a structure not in the interests of victims. He is completely opposed to the acceptance of homosexuality and a more significant role for women in the Church.

The Church underwent a kind of Renaissance in the years following the Ecumenical Council in the 1960s and became much more community oriented. Pell wound that back when he was Archbishop here and called for a return to traditional practice and values. That is when many people I know left the Church. A friend who left the priesthood to marry was denied the sacraments. All that sort if stuff.

I can't stand listening to him. There are not many officials for whom I have such distaste . Symbolically he represents all that is unpleasant about the current day Catholic Church in Australia.

From reports here Pell wandered all over the place in his responses which is not unusual for him. I guess one has to respect him for having a go on national TV but the Church might need different PR people now.

As I am a believer and can't see myself changing that now I don't usually with this kind of debate anyway.

No-one can convince another that they should believe and vice versa.

But if the discussion had been between Dawkins and an Islamic cleric I might have watched simply because such a thing would have so unusual.

If the debate had been about the separation of Church and State I would have watched