Former Australian bishop guilty of abusing Indigenous men

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 10 Oct, 05:19 · Archive

Former Broome bishop Christopher Saunders, 76, was found guilty of 13 sex offences following a jury trial in the West Australian District Court. Prosecutors alleged he lured young Indigenous men to his church-owned house with alcohol and cigarettes paid for with church funds. Saunders denied wrongdoing. It is not yet known if he will appeal.

Church and law enforcement officials first learned of the allegations in 2018. The Vatican forced Saunders to retire in 2021 at age 71, four years early. The Australian police investigation was twice halted for lack of evidence before charges were eventually brought.

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, president of the Australian Bishops Conference, acknowledged the eight-year delay in bringing Saunders to justice but defended the church's decision to let police take the lead. "We still have to respect the integrity of the Australian justice system," he told The Associated Press. "That's been probably the fundamental reason why it's stretched out as long as it has." He said the church hoped to reopen its own in-house legal procedures against Saunders now that he has been sentenced criminally.

How it is being reported

• Australian bishop concedes justice delay in abuse caseA top Australian Catholic bishop defended the church's decision to let police take the lead in the case against former WA bishop Christopher Saunders.The West Australian · 10 Oct, 04:44
• Archbishop of Perth Timothy Costelloe concedes eight-year delay in justice for Christopher Saunders abuse verdictPerth’s highest ranking Catholic leader has defended the church's decision to let police take the lead in the case against former Broome bishop Christopher Saunders, who was sentenced to six and a half years imprisonment on Wednesday.The West Australian · 10 Oct, 04:44
• Australian bishop concedes justice delay in abuse caseA top Australian Catholic bishop defended the church's decision to let police take the lead in the case against former WA bishop Christopher Saunders.Perth Now · 10 Oct, 04:44

In this story: Christopher Saunders · Timothy Costelloe · Australian Bishops Conference · Vatican · Broome · Western Australia

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