It’s been quite a year for moral outrage. A deputy prime minister, test cricket captain,  footballers and several entertainers, individuals often above criticism, have been unable to avoid severe moral judgement arising from their actions.

In a society where the explicit moral positions offered by the traditional churches have lost much of their resonance, the controversies that swirled around these figures revealed a deeper public morality at work that was almost as clear and certain as those preached by those churches. It revealed a moral bedrock in our country, which seemed to have widespread agreement.

With every vox pop interview the moral judgement of Australians seemed to became more explicit: cheating is dishonest and wrong; hypocrisy is unforgivable; bad example given to children is heinous; and that Shakespeare was correct in suggesting that at the end of the day we have little of value but our integrity and good name.

But in all the extensive publicity over the fall from grace endured by these celebrities it is possible to sense a deeper, more gracious and far more attractive lesson, that forgiveness is possible, and those who have failed can hope for redemption, especially if there is repentance and apology.

You could see it in the quiet dignity, unwavering support and unconditional love shown by Steve Smith’s father Peter Smith. Among the mounting calls for condemnation and harsh judgement his approach stood out. When all else is forgotten, for me it will be the boy-captain’s shame at the pain he caused his father and his father’s forgiving pat to his son’s sobbing shoulders that will be remembered.