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 their investigation into Saunders, later handing it over to the Vatican in 2022.

That investigation led to a police raid on Saunders' former residence in January 2023, followed by his arrest in February.

The charges stem from allegations that Saunders groomed and abused young Aboriginal men over eight years.

Some of the alleged victims reported being showered with gifts including cash, phones and alcohol.

Testimonies also detail incidents where Saunders allegedly engaged in inappropriate conduct, including hosting gatherings where guests were asked to strip and engage in sexual activities.

Hush money payments

Saunders' former secretary, Cherrille Quilty, alleged the bishop instructed her to make payments to his alleged victims.

"There was a list of names on the wall in the secretary's office with victims, potential victims and their bank account details" Quilty told The Pillar.

"It was so urgent that I pay them, it wasn't for odd jobs, I can tell you that now.

"It was hush money.

"One of the first victims that came forward was the one that I paid most frequently, and it was to shut him up.

"You didn't dare ask why [Saunders] was paying them. Didn't dare" Quilty said.

"He wasn't the sort of person you would ever cross or ask him anything."

The Church's investigation, which uncovered disturbing details, was pivotal in reigniting police interest in the case.

Leaked portions of the investigation highlighted Saunders' alleged pattern of grooming vulnerable young men, triggering further scrutiny by authorities.

While the Vatican's involvement in the case remains ongoing, the Australian Bishops' Conference, represented by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe of Perth, has promised full cooperation with law enforcement.

"It is right and proper, and indeed necessary, that all allegations be thoroughly investigated" Costelloe said following Saunders' arrest.

The former Bishop of Broome also faces separate firearms charges, though no plea was entered for these during the 30 September hearing.

The next court hearing for Saunders is scheduled for January 2025.

Sources

ABC News

The Pillar

CathNews New Zealand

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 74-year-old faces two charges of indecent and unlawful assault. They did not name the man but the ABC has said through sources that he is Christopher Saunders, the former Bishop of Broome.

Allegedly, in 2016 he sexually assaulted a man aged 21 or 22, marking the emergence of two complainants.

The initial charges stemmed from alleged offences against a complainant in 2008. The offences spanned more than five years in various Kimberley locations.

Horror of sexual abuse

A Church spokesperson said in a statement that the Catholic Diocese of Broome was aware WA Police had charged the former bishop with offences as part of an ongoing investigation into claims of sexual abuse.

"The Catholic Diocese of Broome has and will continue to offer full transparency and co-operation with WA Police" they said.

"Accordingly, no comment will be made regarding the former bishop of Broome until such time as these proceedings are completed.

"The Catholic Diocese of Broome renews its unreserved apology to all those who have suffered the horror of sexual abuse."

Open justice and fair trial

Scheduled to appear in Broome Magistrate's Court on June 17, Saunders, through his lawyer Seamus Rafferty, previously signified a not-guilty plea. Magistrate Deen Potter dismissed a suppression order request, affirming the importance of open justice and a fair trial.

Granted bail on a $10,000 surety, Saunders' supporters and critics witnessed tense courtroom scenes. Ordained as a priest in 1976, he ascended to the role of Bishop in 1996, serving in remote Kimberley communities.

Throughout the legal proceedings, Saunders has consistently maintained his innocence.

Bishop Saunders quit in August 2021 but has kept his title and entitlements.

Sources

News.com.au

ABC

CathNews New Zealand

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 in the Broome Magistrates Court on 17 June 2024.

The allegations, from 2008, involve incidents in Broome and the remote towns of Kununurra and Kalumburu. The Broome diocese covers 773,000 sq km and serves a population of over 50,000.

Approximately the size of Turkey and equivalently the size of the 37th largest country in the world, the diocese has only 9 parishes, 13 Catholic schools and 1 university.

Saunders resigned as Bishop of Broome in 2021 amidst a failed police investigation and a media storm over the allegations.

The BBC reports that Saunders is well known for socialising, advocacy work and escorting young men on camping and fishing trips.

He is a long-time powerful figure within the local community. There is also a beer named after him.

Church co-operates with civil authorities

A subsequent Vatican investigation into the allegations against Saunders was initiated in 2022, further intensifying scrutiny.

At one point, the West Australian politicians accused the Church of refusing to hand the results of its investigation over to the Police.

However, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) responded firmly, denying these allegations.

It said that a copy of the Vatican report was already in the possession of Western Australia Police Deputy Commissioner Allan Adams.

"The Church and Western Australia Police remain in ongoing and collaborative contact in relation to this matter" ....... "the Church will continue to offer full transparency and cooperation with the WA Police" says a statement from the ACBC.

The results of the Vatican investigation gave West Australian Police grounds to mount a second investigation and ultimately press charges and arrest the former Broome bishop.

The ACBC, through Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, expressed its commitment to a thorough investigation.

Costelloe emphasised the church's full cooperation with police efforts and underscored the gravity of the allegations.

"Allegations against the former Bishop of Broome, Christopher Saunders, are very serious and deeply distressing, especially for those making those allegations" said Archbishop Costelloe.

"It is right and proper, and indeed necessary that all such allegations be thoroughly investigated."

The charges against Saunders come in the wake of high-profile cases within the Australian Catholic Church, including Cardinal George Pell's conviction and subsequent acquittal of child sexual abuse charges, and former Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson's overturned conviction for covering up abuse.

Sources

• BBC
• Catholic Weekly
• CathNews (Published September 25, 2023)
• RNS

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 allegations.

It confirmed in the statement that a copy of a report about the former Bishop of Broome's alleged sexually abusive behaviour is in the possession Western Australia Police Deputy Commissioner Allan Adams.

Just why the Police don't seem to have a record of the report is not known.

But the Catholic Church takes its reporting obligations seriously, the bishops' statement continues.

"The Church and Western Australia Police remain in ongoing and collaborative contact in relation to this matter," the statement said, adding that "the Church will continue to offer full transparency and cooperation with the WA Police."

West Australia politicians mistaken

The Bishops Conference statement says that the politicians' "unfounded allegations" that the Catholic Church failed to abide by the state's mandatory reporting laws are wrong.

The politicians have somehow assumed - without justification - that the Church is keeping the report from the WA Police.

The WA politicians' misinformation has led some MPs to wonder if prosecuting the Catholic Church is possible.

Some think it might be appropriate to charge the Church for "failing to adhere to mandatory reporting laws".

The politicians' assumptions are like a made-up story. They couldn't be further from the truth.

The Conference points out the report was handed over to the Police before any ideas about their "failing to adhere to mandatory reporting laws" were raised.

"The Church understands and takes seriously its mandatory reporting obligations under West Australian law.

"Despite unfounded allegations to the contrary, there has been no breach of the Children and Community Services Act 2004, which applies only to children. None of the potential victims were under the age of 18."

The statement also noted that the Catholic Church "continues to encourage anyone who has experienced abuse, or suspects abuse within the community, to come forward and report it to police."

In addition, the Conference statement says: "It is important to note that there were no new potential victims identified in the Church's internal investigations. Western Australia Police already held the list of all potential victims."

Source

• Australian Catholic Bishops Conference

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 Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane appointed to oversee the investigation," the statement said.

It is believed to be the first time a Vos Estis Lux Mundi inquiry has been conducted in Australia.

The accountability protocol was introduced by Pope Francis in 2019 and guides the response to allegations made against senior clerics such as bishops.

Bishop Saunders stood aside as Bishop of Broome in March 2020 after media reports that Western Australia Police had begun investigating allegations of sexual misconduct.

At the conclusion of its investigation, Western Australia Police confirmed that no charges would be brought against Bishop Saunders.

Saunders has always strongly denied the allegations. However, he tendered his resignation to Pope Francis, which was accepted in August 2021.

This weekend, a letter being read at Masses in the Diocese of Broome says the Church investigation "could not happen" until the police inquiries ended. The letter is signed by Apostolic Administrator Bishop Michael Morrisey and Archbishop Coleridge,

"The investigation is now underway," the letter states. But it indicates it is not known how long the investigation will take.

However, the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith "has granted an extension beyond the normal three months for such an investigation", the letter explains.

Archbishop Coleridge has appointed a group of qualified persons to conduct the investigation.

"Their job will be to gather, as best they can, all relevant information to pursue truth and justice for everyone involved," Coleridge stated.

The archbishop also issued a decree stipulating that Bishop Saunders is to reside outside the Diocese of Broome "for the duration of the investigation".

Sources

ABC

The Catholic Leader

CathNews New Zealand

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' departure ends a nearly three-year period of turmoil within the diocese.

The 71-year-old Bishop's final 18 months in office have been marred by controversy and questions over his conduct.

He voluntarily stood aside in March last year after Kimberley Priest John Purnell went public with his concerns over the Church's lack of action on allegations of sexual misconduct against Saunders.

Saunders strenuously denied any wrongdoing and WA Police decided not to proceed with criminal charges after an extended investigation ended in May this year.

The Vatican began its own inquiry into Saunders' administration of the diocese, led by former Bishop of Wollongong Peter Ingham, and chose to send Saunders on a six-month sabbatical outside of the Kimberley.

Bishop Ingham's investigation focused on financial practices, and Saunders' management of staff, including allegations of bullying. It did not concern the allegations of sexual misconduct.

The findings of Ingham's investigation were submitted to the Holy See last year but were not made public.

Catholic Professional Standards were alerted to the allegations against Saunders within days of them being reported to WA Police in October 2018.

However, the Church chose not to take action until March last year, just hours before news reports of the police investigation were due to go to air.

The slow process left police and some diocese staff privately appalled the Church had allowed the bishop to remain physically present in Kimberley. Nevertheless, he continued to preside at mass and other religious services.

Six of the dioceses' 12 parish priests have departed since the allegations were made public. This has left many key positions vacant.

Former Kimberley priest Matt Digges, who served under Saunders for more than two decades, said the process highlighted the need for the Church to significantly reform its protocols for how it responds to allegations against senior clerics.

"It has shown that the church is lacking in oversight, mentorship and regulation of its most critical leaders, it's bishops," Mr Digges told the ABC earlier this year.

In June, Broome Monsignor Paul Boyers told Broome church-goers that the investigation was ongoing.

The resignation of the Australian bishop has thrown the future of the investigation into doubt.

Sources

• ABC
• Catholic News Agency

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 six-month sabbatical, which is due to end on May 28.

Bishop Saunders strenuously denied any allegations of wrongdoing. He voluntarily stood aside from his post when the allegations were made public.

Western Australia Police submitted its findings to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) late last year.

The DPP assessed the brief and recommended against filing criminal charges.

The decision was communicated to church authorities earlier this month.

It will now be up to Vatican authorities and Pope Francis to decide whether the 71-year-old bishop is allowed to return to the Kimberley. Saunders has been a deacon, parish priest, and bishop in the area for almost 50 years.

The police investigation commenced in October 2018 following allegations from a man in his early 20's. The man confided in his local priest and agreed to make a statement to the police.

The clock is now ticking for the Vatican to decide Bishop Saunders' future.

The decision will be based on the findings of the church's internal review, which was run by retired Bishop of Wollongong Peter Ingham.

Bishop Ingham travelled to Broome and interviewed dozens of parishioners, diocese staff and volunteers about the bishop's management style and financial management.

In keeping with church protocols, it did not investigate the sexual misconduct allegations, so as not to complicate the police process.

However, it did examine the bishop's decision-making in regards to separate allegations against several priests previously assigned to the diocese. This included a priest wanted for questioning over the alleged molestation of a teenage girl.

Monsignor Paul Boyers remains the day-to-day administrator of the Broome Diocese in Bishop Saunders' ongoing absence.

Sources

ABC

CathNews

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 to assess an internal investigation's findings into his running of the remote northern diocese.

But the report, which has not been made public, did not look at reports of sexual misconduct rather focussing on financial practices and Bishop Saunders' management of staff, including allegations of bullying.

The 71-year-old bishop has overseen the Broome diocese since 1995, and he denies any wrongdoing.

He has not been charged with any offence.

One of his most loyal and long-serving parish priests has gone public with his concerns about the situation.

Matt Digges was a child when he first met Saunders and later served under him as a priest for more than two decades.

"It seems to me that the best way forward would be for Bishop Saunders to cut ties and retire or resign.

"He is already approaching retirement age and is, we understand, in poor health, Diggs said.

"I think that would be a win-win for everybody because the longer this drags on, everybody is losing out."

Since news of the investigations became public, six of the 12 parish priests had left the Broome diocese.

Many of the positions remain vacant.

The case has highlighted the ambiguity in church protocols around how it responds to allegations of sexual misconduct made against clerics who are as senior as bishops.

While priests who have been accused are immediately stood down, bishops can only be removed by order of the Pope.

It took the Vatican more than two years to arrange for a sabbatical requiring Bishop Saunders to leave the remote Aboriginal community parishes where the allegations originated.

The saga has caused sadness among older Aboriginal parishioners in the Kimberley who grew up on Catholic missions.

They have known Bishop Saunders since he arrived in the region as a fresh-faced parish priest in the 1970s.

Yawuru and Karrajari elder Jimmy Edgar said loyalty to the church was waning. This was due to scandals overseas, and Aboriginal people reflecting on the church's practice of prohibiting cultural practices during the mission era.

"The Catholic Church gave me lots of good things in my upbringing and we used to go to church every day," Mr Edgar said.

"But it's not very nice for people like myself to go to church anymore."

Edgar did not want to comment on Saunders specifically. But he said locals were keen to know whether he would be returning.

"People have different views about it," he said.

"It could end up being a fresh change and people could go back to church again, I suppose."

The Vatican has not commented on the situation since announcing Bishop Saunders would be temporarily leaving the region.

Sources

ABC

CathNews

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 sabbatical will help clarify matters that have created suspicion, confusion and uncertainty within the local church.

The Vatican has launched its own, separate investigation into the bishop's administration of the Broome Diocese.

Saunders is one of the longest serving bishops and has led the diocese since 1995. The diocese which covers the vast Kimberley region of northern WA has been hit by a series of scandals.

The Vatican's initial action began in March when Kimberley priest John Purnell went public with concerns over the Catholic Church's lack of action over the allegations against Bishop Saunders.

The ABC has confirmed multiple staff contacted Catholic Professional Standards with concerns. Correspondence from as early as April 2019 revealed the church was repeatedly told by multiple individuals of the allegations. They urged the church to remove the 70-year-old bishop from his post.

The bishop maintains significant support from some local parishioners. But others suggested it was untenable for him to remain in the diocese while the investigations were ongoing.

Chris, a former Kimberley priest who resigned because of his concerns over how the allegations were handled, spoke out earlier this month. He said the bishop's continuing presence in the Kimberley sent the wrong message.

"It shows that the Church has not learnt from its mistakes of the past," said Chris, who wished to remain unidentified.

"There is something terribly wrong when it cannot deal with someone as powerful as a bishop."

Monsignor Paul Boyers will lead the Broome Diocese in Bishop Saunders' absence.

Sources

ABC

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 decades ago.

No details have been publicly released about the abuse allegations, other than that the two alleged victims are male.

Dates, locations and the nature of the alleged abuse has not been publicly released.

Western Australia Police say they do not make comments about accusations against specific individuals.

Church authorities are not drawing a connection between the police investigation and the Vatican's decision to review the Broome diocese.

"The Holy See, conscious of the particular situation in the Diocese ... and concerned for the pastoral care of the clergy, religious and laity ..., has appointed Most Reverend Peter W Ingham, Emeritus Bishop of Wollongong, Apostolic Visitator to the Diocese... " Costelloe announced.
.

"Bishop Christopher Saunders … has voluntarily stood aside from the ordinary administration of the diocese for the duration of the visitation," he said.

This will "allow the Apostolic Visitator the freedom to carry out his duties," while the "day-to-day running of the Diocese will be the responsibility of Monsignor Paul Boyers."

Saunders testified before the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in 2017.

At that time, he said the church had failed to respond appropriately to the problems raised by the commission.

He also told commissioners data indicating one in 10 priests in the Perth Archdiocese were abusing children had left the organisation in a "state of shock".

He suggested greater psychological testing for priests and seminarians as a key method to help stop and expose abusers.

Source

• ABC
• Catholic News Agency
• Image: ABC