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Christopher Saunders

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The Most Reverend

Christopher Saunders
Bishop of Broome
Church
DioceseBroome
Appointed3 November 1995
Term ended21 August 2021
PredecessorJohn Jobst
SuccessorSede vacante[a]
Other post(s)Bishop emeritus of Broome (2021‍–‍present)
Orders
Ordination28 August 1976
by John Jobst
Consecration8 February 1996
by John Jobst, Justin Bianchini, Edmund Collins
Personal details
Born
Christopher Alan Saunders

(1950-01-15) 15 January 1950 (age 74)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Alma materSaint Paul University
Coat of armsChristopher Saunders's coat of arms

Christopher Alan Saunders (born 15 January 1950) is an Australian prelate of the Catholic Church who was the bishop of the Latin Church diocese of Broome from 1996 to 2021, when he resigned amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

On 21 February 2024, Saunders was charged with rape, as well as other sex offences, after a long running investigation by Australian police.

Life and career

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Christopher Saunders was born on 15 January 1950. He studied at St Bede's College in Mentone, Victoria, and then studied philosophy for three years with the Columbians. Having developed an interest in Aboriginal affairs, he was accepted by the Diocese of Broome and continued his studies in theology at St Francis Xavier Seminary in Adelaide. He worked as a deacon in Broome in 1975 and was ordained a priest of that diocese on 28 August 1976. His assignments took him to La Grange Mission (1976–1978), Lombadina Mission (1978–1982) and Kalumburu Mission (1982–1988). From 1989 to 1995 he was administrator of Broome, interrupted by two years of study for a licentiate in canon law at Saint Paul's Pontifical University in Ottawa, Canada.[2]

Saunders was named bishop of Broome, Australia, on 3 November 1995 and consecrated a bishop on 8 February 1996.

Investigation into sex offenses

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The initial complaint of sexual abuse was filed in 2018, but the investigation was still open in 2020 without any charges.[3]

A journalistic investigation was aired about the alleged sex offenses and financial misconduct in Australia in 2020.

Stepping down

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On 9 March 2020, Saunders voluntarily stood aside from the administration of the diocese after the Vatican ordered a review of the diocese. Church authorities did not indicate any connection between that investigation and the news that Western Australian Police had been investigating an allegation of sexual misconduct made against him 18 months earlier.[4] Peter Ingham, Bishop emeritus of Wollongong, has been tasked with the church's investigation into Saunders' management, including financial affairs and handling allegations of sexual misconduct by priests.[5] The church had received complaints about Saunders as early as April 2019 and tried to evaluate them while preventing their repetition and without alerting Saunders.[6] On 27 November 2020, Saunders agreed to take a six-months leave "outside the Diocese",[7] where his continued performance in public as a priest has provoked complaints.[6]

In May 2021, government officials decided not to file criminal charges.[5] Pope Francis accepted his resignation as Bishop of Broome on 28 August 2021.[1][8]

Vos Estis Lux Mundi inquiry

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The Vatican ordered a Vos estis lux mundi inquiry into the allegations, it was started in September 2022 and concluded in April 2023. The report was leaked and concluded that Saunders likely sexually assaulted four youths while potentially grooming another 67.[9]

Arrest

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On 21 February 2024, Saunders was arrested at his home in Broome by police and charged for 19 offences, including rape, with some of the charges for acts he was alleged to have committed against children. The charges dated back to 2008 and his arrest followed years of sex abuse denials by Saunders.[10][11]

Notes

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  1. ^ Michael Henry Morrissey, apostolic administrator[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Resignations and Appointments, 28.08.2021" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. Archived from the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  2. ^ "Bishop Christopher Saunders". Diocese of Broome. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  3. ^ "Bringing Down a Bishop: The Sins of Christopher Saunders". 7NEWS Spotlight. 15 March 2024 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ Parke, Erin; Tomlin, Sam; Collins, Ben. "Catholic Bishop of Broome Christopher Saunders voluntarily steps down amid investigation into allegation of sexual misconduct". ABC News. Archived from the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  5. ^ a b Parke, Erin (19 May 2021). "Catholic Bishop of Broome Christopher Saunders will not be prosecuted over allegations of sexual misconduct". ABC News. Archived from the original on 29 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  6. ^ a b Parke, Erin (3 July 2020). "Documents reveal church stayed quiet on sexual misconduct allegations against Broome Bishop for almost a year". Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  7. ^ Tomlin, Sam (28 November 2020). "Bishop of Broome Christopher Saunders to leave diocese for six months amid police and Vatican investigations". ABC News. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  8. ^ "Pope replaces Australian bishop in alleged misconduct probe". The Washington Post. Associated Press. 28 August 2021. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  9. ^ Tomlin, Sam (18 September 2023). "One of Australia's most powerful Catholic figures likely sexually assaulted four youths, Vatican report alleges". Seven News. Archived from the original on 21 September 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  10. ^ "Former Bishop of Broome Christopher Saunders faces 19 charges". ABC News. 21 February 2024. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  11. ^ "Australian bishop Christopher Saunders charged with rape". BBC News. 21 February 2024. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
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