Cardinal George Pell’s household confirmed today that he has passed away at the age of 81.

Cardinal Pell was both a vanguard of orthodoxy and a fearless reformer. He was both unafraid to defend Church teaching to the world and unafraid to challenge the Church herself where reforms were needed. He suffered as a result. Thankfully he leaves this life for the next with his name unambiguously cleared of the shameless attempts to besmirch it. He will be remembered for his courage before the Church and the world. He was a true lion of the Church.”

Ashley McGuire, Senior Fellow for The Catholic Association