Former Catholic Bishop Christopher Saunders has been sentenced to six and a half years in prison after being convicted of sexually abusing two young Aboriginal men in Western Australia. The 76-year-old was found guilty in August of one count of rape and 12 counts of indecent assault involving offences committed between 2010 and 2019.
Saunders served as Bishop of Broome from 1996 until he resigned in 2020 following allegations of sexual misconduct. During his trial, prosecutors said he had used his position within the church to gain the trust of the two victims before sexually exploiting them.
The court heard that Saunders organised gatherings where the young men were encouraged to remove their shirts and alcohol was provided. Some of the gatherings took place at church-owned properties and were funded using church resources. He was convicted of sexually assaulting the victims on several occasions, including an incident in which he forced one of the men to perform oral sex.
District Court Judge Martin Flynn said Saunders had abused the authority entrusted to him and taken advantage of the vulnerability of the young men. One of the victims told the court that the abuse continued to have a lasting impact on his life, describing the betrayal of trust he experienced.
During the trial, several child sexual abuse charges were withdrawn, while the jury acquitted him of allegations involving a third young man.
The allegations against Saunders first became public in 2020. An initial police investigation was closed without charges, but a subsequent inquiry ordered by Pope Francis led to renewed investigations and eventually criminal proceedings.
Archbishop of Perth Timothy Costelloe expressed regret over the harm suffered by the victims and praised those who came forward for pursuing justice. The Catholic Church is also considering whether Saunders should lose his remaining church title and ministry powers, with the decision expected to be made by authorities in Rome.
Saunders, who was ordained in 1976, spent much of his career serving in the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia. His conviction makes him one of the most senior Catholic officials in Australia to face criminal prosecution for sexual offences.
Saunders will become eligible for parole in February 2031.
