Cardinal George Pell challenges readers in book to “Test Everything”

The renowned Cardinal George Pell, formerly Archbishop of Sydney and recently appointed by Pope Francis as Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy at the Vatican, challenges readers with the admonition of Saint Paul in his book: Test Everything: Hold Fast to What is Good. These powerful reflections, taken from eighty homilies, discourses and pastoral letters over 25 years, consider some of the ultimate questions that confront us all: Why are we here? What is the purpose of life? What is the good we should do and the evil we should avoid?
 
Reaching out to youth, as well as to people of all ages, faiths, and experiences, Cardinal Pell uses an engaging style mixed with a keen Aussie wit. He writes as a seasoned story-teller, an expert historian, an insightful scholar, a patriot par excellence, and an outstanding Churchman.
 
His advice to all is credible, practical, and helpful: Search for genuine love. Do not follow the crowd. Remember to pray. He reminds Christians, “Every lover must be a fighter. . . . We know that evil will triumph if good people do nothing.” To those harboring doubts or tempted to disbelief he brings steadfast encouragement. “The Christian vision does not deceive,” he writes, “if it comes slowly, wait, for it will come without fail.”
 
Among the many interesting topics he discusses are the Trinity, the meaning of suffering, the relationship between faith and science, the role of Christians in public life, and the enduring wisdom of Humanae Vitae.
 
Tess Livingstone, author of the Foreword of Test Everything and the authorized biography George Pell: Defender of the Faith Down Under (Ignatius Press, 2005), offers this insight about Cardinal Pell’s writings: “What is the view from the cardinal’s heights? He is leader who know his people well and writes with clarity and insight. His critical choices regarding “the culture wars” are on target. With irony, humor, and easily worn scholarship, he counsels and cajoles the reader . . . his writings reveal a strong, gentle, and all-embracing heart.”
 
Cardinal Pell’s overall message points us to the Cross of Christ as the unique and final measure of what it means to be human, and thus holy. Cardinal Pell, modern man of faith, vision and action, inspires readers to go deeper and to “test everything”.
 
About the Author:
 
George Cardinal Pell, formerly Archbishop of Sydney, Australia, was appointed in 2014 by Pope Francis as Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy at the Vatican. He received a Licentiate of Sacred Theology from Urbaniana University, and his Ph.D. in Philosophy from Oxford University. His previous books include Issues of Faith and Morals and an authorized biography by Tess Livingston, George Pell: Defender of the Faith Down Under.
 
Tess Livingstone, the author of the Foreword of Test Everything, is available for interviews about this book. To request a review copy or an interview with Tess Livingstone, please contact:

Rose Trabbic, Publicist, Ignatius Press at (239) 867-4180 or rose@ignatius.com
 
Product Facts:
 
Title: TEST EVERYTHING
Hold Fast to What is Good
Author: Cardinal George Pell
Release Date: August 2015
Length: 342 pages
Price: $19.95
ISBN: 978-1-58617992-2 • Softcover
Order: 1-800-651-1531 • www.ignatius.com