Fr Leo Wearden and Wadeye

Peter Hendriks writes: Wadeye has been in the news lately with reports of a death, riots and much violence. Leo presents information that hasn’t reached the mainstream press that is important to share, but first to say that Leo is fine, safe and in good health.

• Tensions have been rising between two families for some time. Recently a death occurred which then escalated the violence. Fr Leo celebrated a mass for the deceased and has also celebrated mass for the person who is considered responsible for the death. He is speaking to both families

• This afternoon Leo attended an interagency meeting which included, the School, Police, Council, Clinic, Save the Children, and himself. The purpose of the meeting was for each agency to check in with each other and chat about how they will respond to the situation. Contrary to media reports, the nurses haven’t been attacked, the teachers were at school and school was open and the police did not experience violence against themselves.

• Such reports are a setback to attracting workers there. The Clinic, for example, should have 14 nurses, however, it only has two. Teachers are difficult to employ…and so on.

• The MSC presence has been in Wadeye continuously from the beginning, when the Government asked the Church to set up a mission. Coincidentally, it will be 87 years this Sunday since Fr Richard Docherty founded the Port Keats Mission. The Heart of Jesus is needed more than ever, and we thank Leo, who has been there for 15years, for being the one to live the charism given to Chevalier that the love, compassion, forgiveness of God is a solution and a way forward rather than revenge, hate and violence.
• Leo, our prayers are with you and all of Wadeye.

For those who have not read/ heard/ seen any news from Wadeye recently, the reporting has been rather sensationalist, sometimes alarmist.  This is a quieter selection of items from ANC news.

Wadeye is an isolated community about 420 kilometres south-west of Darwin, with a population of around 3000 people.

Tensions have been building in the community for the past month. 

An 18-year-old man was last week charged with manslaughter, following the death of another man, after he suffered severe head injuries during an alleged altercation. 

"Mothers, grandmothers, children run into the bushes carrying their blankets to camp and sleep for the night, our young people have lost their way."

Traditional owner Margaret Perdjert said she was saddened by the fighting among Wadeye's young people. "In our heart we feel empty," she said.

"Our strong elders have passed away and we don't have enough activities for our young people in our community."

An image of hope from the Church