In Case of Cardinal Pell, Belief and the Rule of Law Were in the Dock

The April 7 acquittal on appeal by the highest court in Australia of George Cardinal Pell on his conviction for “historic sexual abuse’” is a welcome development in every respect. Cardinal Pell has been a distinguished and widely respected Christian leader within the Roman Catholic Church, in relations with other Christian churches, and generally as a spokesman for Judeo-Christian values and their contemporary application in metropolitan pluralistic communities. He cooperated closely with the Anglican archbishop of Melbourne in a number of civic projects and as a member of the Roman Curia was generally seen as traditional in his beliefs but contemporary and conciliatory in matters of administration. -- More...