EDITOR'S NOTE: The High Court overturned Cardinal George Pell's conviction for historic child sex offences in a judgment handed down April 7, 2020. In a unanimous decision all seven High Court judges found Victoria's Court of Appeal should not have upheld Pell's conviction It found the evidence could not support a guilty verdict.

The integrity of Australia's judicial system is underpinned by the principle that those accused of a crime are considered innocent until proved guilty. Also of fundamental importance to our courts' credibility and authority is the tenet of blind justice – everyone is equal before the law.

Cardinal George Pell is Australia's highest-ranking Catholic. Credit:Getty Images

It is of paramount importance that these preconditions of natural justice apply in the treatment of Cardinal George Pell, Australia's highest-ranking Catholic and one of the world's most senior Catholic figures, in the wake of the historical sexual abuse charges laid against him on Thursday by Victoria Police, after it received an assessment from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Over a number of years, Vatican-based Cardinal Pell has repeatedly and emphatically denied ever having committed any sexual crime. He says he will return to Australia as soon as possible to clear his name and vigorously contest the charges. He has been summonsed to appear before Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 26, and has been co-operating with the police.