Campion College Australia has unveiled the name of its Grand Hall – the ‘George Cardinal Pell Grand Hall’ during a celebration and book launch honouring Cardinal Pell’s life and legacy.
The gathering on 26 March 2025 in the newly named hall, brought a sense of nostalgia, as the Cardinal’s last major speech in Australia was for Campion’s College’s Fundraising Dinner at NSW Parliament in 2022.
The dedication of the Grand Hall recognised Cardinal Pell’s lasting influence as a leader in the Church, his commitment to faith and education, and his unwavering pursuit of truth and justice. This marked the first official naming in honour of Cardinal Pell since his death.
As part of the event, guests celebrated the launch of George Cardinal Pell – Pax Invictis, A Biography, authored by distinguished journalist and commentator Tess Livingstone.
The biography provided an in-depth exploration of Cardinal Pell’s journey – from his early years in Australia to his influential role as the Vatican’s treasurer. It recounts his steadfast faith through his trials, wrongful imprisonment, ultimate exoneration, and his passing on January 10, 2023.
Pax Invictis – Latin for “Unconquered Peace” – encapsulates the resilience and fortitude that defined his life.
National leaders reflect on Pell
A highlight of the evening was an address by The Hon John Howard OM AC, Australia’s 25th Prime Minister, with responses from Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP and The Hon Tony Abbott AC, the 28th Prime Minister of Australia.
Their speeches paid tribute to Cardinal Pell’s dedication to faith, justice, and public service.
“What he gave to the Christian religion and very particularly to the Catholic Church, was a lifetime of service and devotion. He was an intellectual inspiration,” Mr Howard said.
“His tenacity and his strength and his resilience would’ve broken most of us, but not him. And he was sustained in that by his resolute faith.”
Author’s reflections
Tess Livingstone, a veteran Australian journalist, has extensively covered politics, economics, strategic policy, and cultural issues. Her contributions to The Australian and The Weekend Australian have shaped national discourse for over a decade, making her uniquely positioned to present an insightful portrait of Cardinal Pell’s life.
The event drew together college friends, supporters, students and many members of the community in a shared moment of reflection on Cardinal Pell’s contributions and the values he championed.
Attendees received signed copies of the book as a keepsake from the evening.
According to a media release by Campion College Australia, the college “remains committed to preserving the intellectual and spiritual contributions of figures like Cardinal Pell, ensuring that their stories and teachings endure for generations to come.”
Campion College is a Catholic tertiary liberal arts college located in Toongabbie, Western Sydney. Students receive a pre-vocational education that encourages critical thinking and the development of transferrable skills for success in all spheres of life.
To learn more about Campion College, contact its Chaplain, Fr Piotr Kruk OP.
To buy the book, visit Amazon or other authorised retailers.
Read more stories about Cardinal Pell’s life on Catholic Outlook.
