When Howard describes Pell as of ‘exemplary character’, of ‘strength’, and ‘lacking in hypocrisy and cant’, the back story to those words must include Pell’s extreme and vociferous opposition to any progressive reform within the Catholic Church. It must especially include his stance in relation to gender equality, to contraception, to abortion and women’s rights in general, and including condemnation of homosexuality, gay and lesbian rights and same-sex marriage.

Writing of Pell’s “strength”, Howard would have known of the Ellis case — of Pell’s attempts to shield paedophile clergy from being accountable and treating victims with arrogant dismissal and scorn.

Abbott has likened what Pell has been convicted of as a “mistake”, saying:

“If I look back on my own life … I’ve made many mistakes, we all do.”

It is amazing to consider that we have a recent Prime Minister who regards paedophilia as insignificant rather than a serious crime.

Howard and Abbott’s abhorrent defence of Pell