Cardinal Pell Dismisses Tim Minchin Song As It Tops iTunes Chart

Cardinal Pell has hit back at Tim Minchin for his newly-released track, Come Home (Cardinal Pell), in which the comedian accuses Australia's most high-profile Catholic of being a "coward" for declining to return to Australia to give evidence regarding incidents of sexual abuse to the Royal Commission Into Institutional Responses To Child Sex Abuse.

As ABC reports, a statement released by Pell's office says that he is willing to "meet with and listen to victims and express his ongoing support," after it was revealed that he knocked back a request to board a flight to Australia from Rome, citing that he was to ill to fly.

"Cardinal Pell has always helped victims, listened to them and considered himself their ally," the statement reads.

"As an archbishop for almost 20 years he has led from the front to put an end to cover-ups, to protect vulnerable people and to try to bring justice to victims."

Whether you love or hate Minchin's song, it can't be denied that it has got people talking as it now sits in the #1 spot of the Australian iTunes Songs Chart and has garnered over 400,000 views since its premiere on Channel Ten's The Project on Tuesday night. 

The recently-launched GoFundMe campaign, which was established to help raise money for Ballarat survivors to travel to Rome and confront Pell personally, has more than tripled its target of $55,000 in just three days, with nearly $175,000 raised so far.

All proceeds raised from Minchin's controversial track will go directly towards the campaign. 

Pell's office statement continues, "He has appeared before the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry and twice before the royal commission, including for several days in person at the royal commission public hearing in Sydney in 2014.

"The Cardinal is anxious to present the facts without further delays. It is ultimately a matter for the royal commission to determine the precise arrangements for the provision of evidence by the Cardinal in Rome.

"The Cardinal will continue to cooperate with whatever arrangements the royal commission determines, so that he can be heard on the days and at the times recently set by the commissioner."