Christopher Saunders: former Bishop of Broome charged with rape in Australia
Australian bishop Christopher Saunders, aged 74, has been charged with rape and a series of historical sex offenses, including some involving children. He was arrested in Broome on Wednesday following parallel investigations by Western Australian police and the Pope. Despite denying previous allegations, Mr. Saunders was denied bail and is set to appear in court on Thursday. This makes him one of the highest-ranking Catholics to face such charges.
The accusations against Mr. Saunders include two counts of rape, 14 counts of unlawful and indecent assault, and three counts of indecent dealings with children in positions of authority. The alleged incidents took place between 2008 and 2014 in the remote Western Australian towns of Broome, Kununurra, and the Aboriginal community of Kalumburu.
Apart from the late Cardinal George Pell, who was incarcerated and later acquitted, Mr. Saunders is the most senior Catholic official in the country to be charged with child sex offenses. In response, The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference issued a statement promising full cooperation with law enforcement, acknowledging the seriousness of the charges and the distress they cause, especially for the accusers.
"It is imperative that all such allegations be thoroughly investigated," remarked Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe.
Ordained in 1976, Mr. Saunders has primarily served in the remote Kimberley region of the nation's northwest corner, assuming the role of Bishop of Broome in 1996. The diocese covers an expansive area of about 770,000 square kilometers, including some of Australia's most isolated regions.
Known for his social engagements, advocacy work, and mentoring of young men on outdoor excursions, Mr. Saunders has held significant influence within the local community for years. He even has a beer named after him.
For some time, he has been under scrutiny due to allegations of sexual abuse by several Aboriginal men from communities within his jurisdiction. While these accusations surfaced in 2020, the initial police inquiry concluded without charges being filed. Mr. Saunders voluntarily stepped down as Bishop of Broome in 2020 but retains the title of emeritus bishop.
However, following a historic inquiry initiated by the Pope, and the subsequent leak of its 200-page report to the media last year, law enforcement launched a fresh investigation. Vos Estis Lux Mundi inquiries, translating to "You Are the Light of the World" in Latin, are authorized by the pontiff and were introduced in 2019 to combat sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, specifically targeting bishops and other high-ranking officials.
Only the Pope holds the authority to appoint or remove a bishop from office.
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