No clarity on rapist bishop's future as senior cardinal visits Broome

A senior Vatican official has spoken of his sadness for the community still coming to terms with the sexual abuses committed by former bishop of Broome Christopher Saunders.

Saunders, who led the Catholic diocese of Broome for decades, was jailed for six years last month for sexually assaulting two young Indigenous men.

Cardinal Mario Grech, who is secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, addressed a special mass in Broome on Wednesday morning to mark the diocese's 60-year anniversary.

In front of a packed cathedral of more than 100 parishioners, Cardinal Grech did not name Saunders.

But the Maltese prelate said he was "deeply saddened" and "stood in solidarity" with community members.

Cardinal Grech said he was grateful to have been invited to the region and spoke of the diocese's vibrancy and "distinctive community of faith".

Disgraced bishop's future unclear

The ABC was not permitted to take photographs or record the mass, or interview Cardinal Grech.

There have been questions in the Kimberley community about whether Saunders would be defrocked by the church after he was jailed.

However, the Vatican has been tight-lipped on any disciplinary process or potential removal of the bishop title.

Cardinal Grech did not provide parishioners with any clarity on Saunders's future.

'A lot of people are hurting'

Broome resident John Puertollano said having a high-ranking member of the church visit Broome was a positive step.

He said he was confident in the ability of Broome's new bishop, Timothy Norton, to help restore trust and faith within the local Catholic community.

"A lot of people are hurting and they need some sort of closure, some sort of direction to understand that it's not just him that we're talking about, it's about us as parishioners," he said.

"We need to be comfortable with how we practise our religion, that's the aim.

"Having a new person in the seat and drive this whole thing moving forward, there's always room for change."

He said he was pleased to see so many young people and old parishioners "come back to the church".

"I think that's the direction we need to start going in," Mr Puertollano said.

"With all that's happened over the years of the church here, we need to concentrate on our youth."

Broome parishioner Janet Puertollano has been part of the diocese for decades, and was chosen to approach the cardinal with an offertory during the service.

She said the cardinal's visit was "a very proud moment".

The mass coincided with a morning tea to celebrate 100 years of Broome's Sisters of St John of God Convent and the cardinal headed further north to Beagle Bay on the Dampier Peninsula.

Cardinal Grech is touring Australia and holding public discussions at events in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Fremantle and Broome.