Community Shock at Arrest of Popular Catholic Priest on Child Sexual Assault Charge

ABC News
November 12, 2015

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-13/neru-shock/6937600

PHOTO: Catholic priest, Father Neru Leuea, in 2012. (Daily Advertiser)

There is shock at the arrest of a popular Catholic priest from the New South Wales Riverina, on a child sexual assault charge.

Father Neru Leuea, aged 49, of Narrandera was refused bail in Wagga Wagga Local Court on Thursday on a single charge of aggravated sexual assault of a girl aged under 16.

It is alleged that around 12 or 13 years ago he assaulted a girl who was then aged 10.

Father Neru spent seven years in Griffith and the city's Mayor, John Dal Broi, said he knew the priest very well.

"I saw him every weekend when I went to church, an extremely popular priest here in Griffith," he said.

"He actually had each church literally full, the congregation loved him.

"Everyone who wanted to get married, they wanted Father Neru, funeral services, they wanted Father Neru, so when I heard the news, I was extremely shocked."

Father Neru was suspended as a police chaplain yesterday.

In a statement released yesterday, Wagga Wagga's Catholic Bishop Gerard Hanna, said members of affected parishes will receive support as needed.

"I think the community, and the people that placed so much faith in Father Neru would be looking for some form of comfort, some form of counselling, because they placed so much trust in him," Councillor Dal Broi said.

"And now with the latest news, maybe they feel betrayed."

Councillor Dal Broi said parishioners in Griffith protested against the priest's transfer to Narrandera last year because he is so popular.

"They held a public rally and a couple of hundred people turned up, requesting the Bishop to let Father Neru remain here," he said.

"There are still young brides who have booked Father Neru into next year to conduct their wedding for them.

"So I think the Catholic community in Griffith, in their own way, will be saying a few prayers for Father Neru and wishing him the best for this hard time he's going through."