Sandhurst-born and raised priest, Fr Leo Wearden MSC, has marked twenty years of dedicated service in the remote Aboriginal community of Wadeye in the Northern Territory.

Expressing his gratitude for Fr Leo’s service, Bishop Charles Gauci, Bishop of Darwin and the Northern Territory, publicly acknowledged Fr Leo’s “tireless service”:

“For two decades, Fr Leo has embodied the heart of Christ through his compassion, steadfast commitment and deep love for the people he serves.”

Fr Leo was born, educated and ordained in the Diocese of Sandhurst — a Tongala-Kyabram boy. He has been a priest of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart for forty-five years and his ministry has included time in the Tiwi Islands, Papua New Guinea and East Timor.

"These diverse experiences,," says Bishop Gauci, "have enriched Fr Leo’s ministry, and strengthened his ability to walk alongside communities with respect and empathy.”

Wadeye is about 420 kilometres south-west of Darwin, with a fluctuating population of between 2000 and 3000 people; it’s one of the Northern Territory’s biggest Indigenous communities and has been described by an ABC News journalist as, “A town where ancient culture, western religion, AFL and heavy metal music all meet in the middle.”

Fr Leo is a key figure in Wadeye’s ‘western religion’ fostering mutual respect and understanding between faith and culture and has shown incredible fortitude and resilience ministering in such an isolated and under-resourced community.

Wadeye is in the fourth most disadvantaged local government area in Australia, yet it is a place of deep history, resilience, and cultural richness.

"Fr Leo’s steadfast commitment to walking alongside the people of Wadeye, building bonds of trust and friendship reflects the profound impact of living out the Gospel with sincerity and love, and an example of what it means to live out Pope Francis’ call to be a Church of encounter, dialogue and care.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Fr Leo for his courage, humility, and perseverance, and his example of missionary spirit ... Fr Leo is living witness to what it means to serve with compassion and fidelity.”

Bishop Charles Gauci, Bishop of Darwin and the Northern Territory.

Read more:

Memorable Celebration for a Bible Dedication (in Wadeye).  This will take you to EternityNews.com.

Fr Leo Wearden MSC celebrates 40 years of Priesthood. This will take you to the Sandhurst Diocese's website.