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Former Australian Bishop Jailed for Sexually Abusing Young Men
Confirmed
In Short: Christopher Saunders, the former Bishop of Broome, has been sentenced to more than six years in prison for sexually abusing two young Aboriginal men in Western Australia's remote Kimberley region.
Christopher Saunders, the former Bishop of Broome, has been sentenced to more than six years in prison for sexually abusing two young Aboriginal men in Western Australia's remote Kimberley region.
Saunders, 76, was found guilty earlier this year of one charge of rape and 12 counts of indecent assault. He has been in custody since his guilty verdict in August.
The assaults occurred at various locations, including the former bishop's residence in Broome and a retreat known as the 'beach house'.
The court heard that Saunders systematically groomed the victims, inviting them to 'shirts-off' gatherings and supplying them with alcohol and food, often using church funds and properties.
Judge Martin Flynn said Saunders had misused his authority and exploited the vulnerability of his victims, disregarding their dignity and causing them lasting harm.
The judge set a non-parole period of four years and six months, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Bishop Tim Norton of Broome apologized to the victims and survivors, acknowledging that the sentence could not repair the harm caused.
Former and current Catholic priests praised the victims' courage while condemning Saunders' actions.
The victims' impact statements described the lasting pain and betrayal they felt, with one stating he was a 'toy' that Saunders had used.
Saunders, who resigned as Bishop of Broome in 2020 when first accused of wrongdoing, showed no reaction after the sentences were handed down.
What's confirmed
- "We are sorry for the pain and suffering that was inflicted on you. We are sorry that your trust was so directly and profoundly betrayed by a leader of the church," he said.
What's still developing
- Bishop Christopher Saunders meets Pope Francis in June, 2019. ( Supplied ) But the judge said those people did not know Saunders well, and he was giving no weight to evidence of good character.
- She said she became suspicious when she saw Saunders hanging around young Aboriginal men, and was told to buy phones for them, give them money, and organise bus and plane trips.
- ( ABC Kimberley: Ben Collins ) The victims were young Aboriginal men who lived in the Kimberley, where Indigenous people make up more than 40 per cent of the population.
- In a victim impact statement provided to the court, that young man said he still struggled to talk about what had happened.
- "I was a toy that he was using," the victim wrote.
- "My head is pounding now, I'm in so much pain."
- "I trusted him. I thought he wanted me to be a better person."
- Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, president of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference, said the sentence and the judgeʼs remarks recognized the gravity of the offenses and their profound impact on the victims and survivors.
- "It's quite shocking that the Vatican hasn't acted to remove him, we want him excommunicated as quickly as possible," she said.
- He said the ACBC would redouble its efforts at "safeguarding, accountability and transparency".
- "No court sentence can undo the suffering that has been caused or restore all that each person has lost."