The former Bishop of Broome, Christopher Saunders, appeared in an Australian court on Monday. He pleaded not guilty to 28 criminal charges, including two counts of rape and 14 counts of unlawful and indecent assault. Saunders, 74, denied all charges that initially surfaced in 2020 and allegedly occurred between 2008 and 2016. Church officials launched Read more
Former Bishop of Broome Christopher Saunders, 74, is facing two fresh charges of indecent assault relating to incidents that allegedly happened eight years ago. These new charges add to his existing legal battle comprising 26 charges, including sexual penetration without consent, indecent dealing with a child, and unlawful and indecent assault. WA Police confirmed a Read more
Christopher Saunders, a 74-year-old retired former Catholic bishop of Broome, appeared in the Broome Magistrates court on Thursday facing multiple charges. The BBC reports he has been charged with rape and a string of historical sexual offences, some against children. Saunders pleaded not guilty to all charges. He was granted bail. Saunders will appear again Read more
A Vatican report about Bishop Saunders has already been handed to Western Australia Police. The facts run counter to a scandalous allegation to the contrary, says a statement from the Catholic Church. Recent news reports allege the Church has refused to hand the Vatican report to the Police. The Conference has responded firmly, denying the Read more
The Holy See has initiated a canonical investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against former Broome Bishop Christopher Saunders. In a rare statement released on Saturday night, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference said a Vos Estis Lux Mundi investigation was underway. “The Holy See has initiated a canonical investigation into former Broome Bishop Christopher Saunders, with Read more
The Vatican has accepted the resignation of a long-serving Australian Catholic Bishop, leaving the future of its investigation into his conduct unclear. A statement released overnight by the Holy See read, “The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Broome, Australia, presented by Bishop Christopher Alan Saunders”. Saunders’ Read more
Police and prosecutors have decided not to file criminal charges against the Bishop of Broome Christopher Saunders over allegations of sexual misconduct. This decision comes just days before the Catholic Church deadline to decide Saunders’ future. The Vatican started a separate, internal investigation into his management of the diocese. He was then sent on a Read more
Tensions are building over whether the Vatican will allow a bishop accused of sexual misconduct and bullying to return to his diocese. The move is seen to possibly setting an international precedent. Bishop of Broome, Christopher Saunders was sent on a six-month sabbatical in November. The ABC reports that the Vatican has used this time Read more
The Bishop of Broome, who is at the centre of a police investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, has taken a sabbatical. Bishop Christopher Saunders will take six months leave away from his outback diocese, effective immediately. No charges have been laid, and Bishop Saunders has strenuously denied the allegations. The Vatican says the bishop’s Read more
The bishop of Broome, Western Australia, Christopher Saunders, has voluntarily stepped down after the Vatican ordered a review into the Broome diocese. The review was announced during an ongoing police investigation into an allegation of sexual misconduct against Saunders. The allegation was made 18 months ago and involve claims that Saunders sexually abused boys several Read more