FORMER Ballarat priest Cardinal George Pell has received the highest award in the Queen's Birthday 2005 Honours List.
Dr Pell, who was born and educated in Ballarat, is one of only seven Australians to be appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia.
The former St Patrick's College student is among the most controversial churchmen of modern times, but says a little bit of controversy is better than being ignored.
"Yes, there has been some controversy," said Dr Pell, who stood aside as Archbishop of Sydney three years ago when he was accused - and later cleared - of sexually abusing an altar boy at a church camp in 1961.
"But a little bit of controversy is better than being ignored.
"I am deeply honoured by this recognition, both personally and for the Catholic Church," he said.
"It is a recognition of the Catholic contribution to Australian life, and I am also grateful for this."
Dr Pell, once described as having a "hide several rhinoceroses thick" has angered many progressives with his insistence that basic church teachings are non-negotiable.
The archbishop, who chose the priesthood over a football career with AFL club Richmond, consistently refused communion to openly gay parishioners and once called homosexuality "a greater health hazard than smoking".
Dr Pell was one of 30 people appointed cardinal by the late Pope John Paul II in September, 2003.
He was ordained a priest in 1966 with the Ballarat Diocese, which extends from Ballan to the South Australian border. In 1987 Dr Pell became a bishop and later served as Archbishop of Melbourne, before his appointment to Archbishop
of Sydney in 2001.