Bishop Timothy Norton, S.V.D., of Broome, Australia, issued a pastoral letter in response to the conviction of his predecessor on sexual penetration and assault charges against two young males.
After expressing gratitude to police and prosecutors, Bishop Norton said on August 13—the day of the conviction—that “most importantly, our diocese acknowledges the courage of victims, survivors and other witnesses who came forward to express their truth. They showed extraordinary resilience and commitment through a long and difficult process.”
“Trust has been broken and wounds of betrayal and division have been exposed across the diocese,” he added. “The hurt extends to those who have placed their trust in our leadership and our Church.”
Bishop Norton pledged to visit “many parts of our diocese” in the coming months. He concluded:
If you require support following the verdict and the stories emanating from the trial, we encourage you to seek assistance. Our diocesan and parish staff can help to connect people with independent support services.
We ask Our Lady Queen of Peace, the patroness of our diocese, to intercede for us and to accompany us on this journey of reconciliation, healing and hope.