This article frames the question that so bothers me about the institutional church. That Pell has, to this point, lacked compassion, and played the "company man" approach may be disturbing or even disgusting. I can almost accept that some could have been that way in the past.

But since at least 2002, there have been no more excuses for this behavior.  Pell COULD have redeemed himself by  adopting a righteous zeal to cleanse the church like Jesus in the Temple. He chose not to do so.  Why not?

Whether or not Pell gets convicted legally, his credibility is forever shot as stories like this come out. Again, instead of setting up a higher moral bar, the church continues to preach a highly aspirational morality, but dives to the LOWEST standard we have (secular law) to protect its leaders.

When a man can say what he said to the parents of those two girls, what moral, ethical or religious authority should he be allowed? Children are a sacrament.  Do bishops not see that?