The Italian press is reporting that Cardinal Pell will be leaving Australia and heading to Rome to become prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
When the official announcement comes, it will mark a loss for Australia and a gain for Rome—say I, who probably shouldn’t, since I am an unabashed admirer of the man, who has written such serious work for First Things as:
Intolerant Tolerance (August/September 2009)
Priest to Pontiff (October 2009)
The Inconvenient Conscience (May 2005)
Islam and Us (June/July 2006)
May 7th, 2010 | 8:19 am
Cardinal Pell is even better than that, given the incredibly heterodox condition of the Catholic Church in Australia. He has brought about a reversal of a toxic trend in that part of the Church, by force of his courage and adherence to the truth of the faith.
Pope Benedict has already shown excellent instincts in his episcopal assignments, and I predict they can only get better with Cardinal Pell in charge.