Christopher Saunders, a former bishop in Australia, has been sentenced to six and a half years in prison for sexually abusing two young Aboriginal men during his tenure as a Catholic cleric. Saunders, who resigned as Bishop of Broome in 2020 following allegations, was found guilty in August of one count of rape and 12 counts of indecent assault. He will be eligible for parole in February 2031.
The trial, held in Western Australia, revealed that Saunders groomed the victims by inviting them to gatherings where alcohol was provided, often using church funds and properties. He was convicted of molesting the men between 2010 and 2019, with one incident involving forced oral sex. A jury acquitted him of charges related to a third alleged victim.
In a victim impact statement, one of the young men described the emotional pain he experienced, stating, "I was a toy that he was using. My head is pounding now, I'm in so much pain."
Saunders, who was ordained in 1976 and became Bishop of Broome in 1996, served in the remote Kimberley region of Australia. District Court Judge Martin Flynn noted that Saunders had "disregarded the dignity" of his victims, resulting in lasting harm.
Archbishop of Perth Timothy Costelloe expressed regret for the suffering inflicted on the victims, acknowledging their courage in seeking justice. He stated, "No court sentence can undo the suffering that has been caused or restore all that each person has lost."
The allegations against Saunders first emerged in 2020, but the initial police investigation was closed without charges. Following a historic inquiry ordered by the Pope, a new investigation was launched. Costelloe indicated that the church's investigation into Saunders would resume once the police concluded theirs. There is ongoing pressure for the church to revoke Saunders' remaining title and ministry powers, a decision that will be made by the Vatican.
The "Vos Estis Lux Mundi" inquiries, introduced in 2019 to address sexual abuse within the church, aim to hold bishops and high-ranking officials accountable. Aside from the late Cardinal George Pell, who faced similar charges, Saunders is among the most senior Catholic officials in Australia to be charged with sex offences.