started · updated
Christopher Saunders convicted of sexually abusing young Aboriginal men
Former Bishop of Broome Christopher Saunders, 76, has been convicted by a jury in the District Court of Western Australia for the sexual abuse of two young Aboriginal men. The convictions, which follow a three-week trial, include one count of sexual penetration without consent and 12 counts of indecent assault.
Prosecutors alleged that between 2008 and 2019, Saunders used his position of power to lure young Indigenous men to church-owned properties in the Kimberley region by hosting alcohol-fueled gatherings. During these events, guests were reportedly required to remove their shirts. Saunders had previously resigned in 2020, a move accepted by Pope Francis in 2021, following the emergence of these allegations.
While Saunders was found guilty of 13 charges, he was acquitted of six others, including allegations involving a third victim and indecent dealing with a child over the age of 16. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 21.
In response to the verdict, the current Bishop of Broome, Tim Norton, issued a pastoral letter apologizing to the victims and acknowledging a “betrayal of trust” that has caused deep wounds across the diocese.
Entities
Adam Sumbak · Batemans Bay Local Court · Bega Local Court · Broome · Catholic Church · Catholic Diocese of Broome · Christopher Saunders · Director of Public Prosecutions · District Court of Western Australia · Pope Francis · Tim Norton · Western Australia District Court
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Pope Francis accepted Saunders' resignation in 2021 following the emergence of abuse allegations. theqldr.com.au · religion.orf.at
- [● 6 SOURCES] Prosecutors alleged Saunders lured young Indigenous men to his church-owned home in Broome using free alcohol and cigarettes. www.europesays.com · mymotherlode.com · theqldr.com.au · time.news · www.watoday.com.au · +1 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The convictions include one count of sexual penetration without consent and 12 counts of indecent assault. catholicweekly.com.au · www.europesays.com · kurier.at · mymotherlode.com · theqldr.com.au · +3 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] Saunders was convicted of 13 counts of sexual abuse out of 19 original charges. catholicweekly.com.au · www.europesays.com · kurier.at · misyjne.pl · mymotherlode.com · +4 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] Saunders is scheduled to be sentenced on September 21. www.europesays.com · mymotherlode.com · theqldr.com.au · religion.orf.at
- [● 3 SOURCES] The current Bishop of Broome, Tim Norton, apologized to the victims and acknowledged a betrayal of trust within the diocese. catholicweekly.com.au · kurier.at · misyjne.pl
- [● 6 SOURCES] Saunders was acquitted of six charges, including allegations involving a third victim. www.europesays.com · mymotherlode.com · theqldr.com.au · time.news · www.watoday.com.au · +1 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] A jury in the District Court of Western Australia found former Bishop Christopher Saunders guilty of sexual abuse. catholicweekly.com.au · www.europesays.com · kurier.at · misyjne.pl · mymotherlode.com · +4 more