Former Broome bishop Christopher Saunders charged over historical sex offences

Ex-Broome bishop Christopher Saunders will appear in Broome magistrates court to face multiple charges.

Former Broome bishop Christopher Saunders has now been charged with multiple sex offences.

The comprehensive findings of a church-commissioned investigation into former Broome bishop Christopher Saunders were central to police finally laying historical charges against the high-profile figure, years after allegations first emerged.

WA police on Thursday revealed Bishop Saunders had been charged with multiple historical child sex offences, less than six months after the findings of a special church-commissioned investigation were leaked to the media. The church investigation found he had sexually assaulted and groomed numerous Aboriginal men and boys during his decades in the role.

A police investigation into allegations against the bishop ended in May 2021 without charges laid. Bishop Saunders has always maintained his innocence.

The 74-year-old appeared in Broome Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with two counts of sexual penetration without consent, 14 of unlawful and indecent assault, and three of a person in authority indecently dealing with a child between the ages of 16 and 18.

Police Commissioner Col Blanch confirmed the findings of the 200-page church report had been handed to police in the months leading up to the pressing of charges. “In any investigation relating to historical sex offences, it takes a community, it takes media and it takes good investigations, and that’s what we’ve got here,” he said.

The significance of the church investigation has raised questions about why the report was not immediately handed to police, rather than five months after it was given to the church.

WA Premier Roger Cook said any institution with serious accusations before it had to take those allegations seriously and treat them carefully. “They also need to make sure they co-operate with police fully,” he said.

Bishop Saunders was a high-profile figure in WA’s Kimberley region for decades, frequently piloting a light aircraft to visit remote communities.

But he stood down suddenly in March 2020, following a Channel 7 report that police had investigated historical sex abuse allegations. The church had also received multiple complaints from current and former members of his staff, including priests, concerned about his behaviour.

The church appointed two investigators to look into the matter using Vos Estis Lux Mundi papal inquiry powers. Those investigators identified 67 Aboriginal boys and men who they said may have been subjected to delictual acts or grooming behaviours by the bishop.

The investigation was based on dozens of interviews with witnesses, including previous secretaries of the bishop, alleged victims and past and present members of the clergy. The bishop declined to be interviewed.

The report described how Bishop Saunders was alleged to have spent thousands of dollars of church money each month on cash payments, mobile phones, alcohol and cigarettes for “vulnerable” Aboriginal men and boys. It was also critical of police.

Michael Morrissey, the apostolic administrator for the Catholic Diocese of Broome, said the allegations were “serious and deeply distressing”.

“The protection of children and vulnerable adults is the church’s highest priority,” Reverend Morrissey said. “I reaffirm my personal commitment, and the commitment of the Diocese of Broome, to providing support and assistance to survivors of abuse and repairing the wrongs of the past.”

He said the Diocese of Broome had, and would continue to, co-operate fully with police.