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
Cardinal John Dew is unsure why former Bishop of Palmerston North, Charles Drennan remains a bishop, saying it is entirely Rome’s decision. Dew made the comment, Friday, in answer to questions from counsel Sally McKechnie, at the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care. “The Pope is the only one that can remove a bishop from Read more
A sexual assault trial for the former papal envoy to France went ahead despite his absence on Tuesday. Archbishop Luigi Ventura (75) had produced a doctor’s note saying it was too dangerous for him to travel from Rome to the trial in Paris during the coronavirus epidemic. Lawyers for the accusers of the retired papal Read more
Sexual misconduct allegations against Catholic composer David Haas have led a leading supplier of sacred music to call for an investigation. As allegations of serial sexual misconduct against Haas continue to mount, GIA Publication want to know how his predatory behavior avoided scrutiny and accountability. GIA Publications, which distributed the Gather hymnals that included some Read more
The head of the Fiji Catholic Church has made an apology for the behaviour of Catholic priests, religious and teachers who allegedly abused Fijian children. Archbishop Peter Loy Chong was responding to a news report on TVNZ by pacific correspondent, Barbara Dreaver. For the last year, 1 NEWS has been investigating claims of historic sexual Read more
L’Arche founder Jean Vanier has been accused of sexual misconduct. The allegations follow months of investigation into the man praised by popes and politicians for his humanitarian work in establishing a global network of institutions serving adults with physical and intellectual disabilities. The accusations involve six women of various “ages, geographic origin and status – Read more
Fr Christopher J. Ford, the Principal of Don Bosco Technical Centre at Alafua in Samoa has issued a statement of apology for the two students and one adult, held on sexual charges in American Samoa. The detainees were part of the school group who travelled to participate in the entertainment and fautasi racing for the Read more
A priest has been suspended in Fiji after a video showing him engaged in sexual acts, with a church member, went viral. Archbishop Peter Loy Chong yesterday confirmed that a priest had been removed from office. Archbishop Chong said the moment the Church was made aware of the video they “did not sweep the matter Read more