No State Memorial for Cardinal George Pell as Premier Cites Sexual Abuse Victims Distress

The Archbishop Of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell addresses the media during a press conference ahead of World Youth Day Sydney 08, at the Polding Centre on July 8, 2008 in Sydney, Australia. Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has ruled out a state funeral or memorial service for Vatican leader Cardinal George Pell saying it would be “distressing” for survivors of sexual abuse.

Pell, formerly the archbishop of Melbourne and Sydney, died from heart complications in Rome on Jan. 10 following hip replacement surgery.