Ballarat-born Cardinal George Pell, who died on Wednesday morning Australian time aged 81, was ever a polarising figure.
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Rising to become Australia's highest-ranked Catholic in the Vatican, appointed by Pope Francis to run the Treasury, many in Ballarat never forgot his role in one of the church's darkest periods, involving the rape and assault of dozens of children.
READ MORE: Cardinal George Pell; a life in the news
While he will be remembered as a warrior for the conservative church, others will remember the day he gave evidence to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, including many Ballarat survivors who travelled to Rome to hear his testimony in person.
Though he was last in Ballarat in 2015, since then he was charged and convicted with child sexual offences, before the convictions were lifted by the High Court after more than a year in prison.
IN THE NEWS
The Courier followed each incident closely, speaking to the people affected and making sure their voices were heard.
Pell returned to Rome after his release, living in Vatican City until his death.
It has been reported he will be buried in Sydney.
Affected by this story? There is help available.
You can phone the Ballarat Centre Against Sexual Assault, in Sebastopol, on 5320 3933, or free-call the crisis care line 24 hours on 1800 806 292.
Or phone Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380, or Relationships Australia on 1300 364 277.
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