Australian bishop sentenced for abuse of young men

By CathNews New Zealand

October 9th, 2026

(Wikimedia Commons)

The former bishop of Broome Diocese in Western Australia has been sentenced to six years and six months in prison for sexually abusing two young Indigenous men. Source: Associated Press/Crux Now.

In August, a District Court of Western Australia state jury convicted Christopher Saunders, 76, of 13 out of 19 charges of sexual abuse that occurred between 2008 and 2019.

Saunders was acquitted of six charges involving a third accuser. He was accused of indecent dealing with a child over the age of 16. The age of consent in Western Australia is 16, but the law raises it to 18 if the older person is in a position of trust, power or responsibility.

Four charges involving a child younger than 13 were dropped on the first day of Saunders’ three-week trial.

Saunders will become eligible for parole in February 2031. The sentence was imposed by the District Court of Western Australia on October 7.

Saunders led the remote Broome diocese from 1996 until he resigned in 2021.

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, said the sentence recognised the gravity and serious nature of Saunders’ offences.

The sentence also recognised the profound impact on the victims and survivors of Saunders’ crimes, Archbishop Costelloe said.

“To each victim and survivor who courageously revealed what they had endured, we want to say this: 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,” the archbishop said in a statement.

Current Broome Bishop Tim Norton SVD said his diocese expressed gratitude to everyone involved in bringing this matter to justice, while acknowledging that the sentence cannot heal the damage done. Bishop Norton encouraged people with concerns or comments to raise them.

The Vatican began investigating Saunders in 2022, then handed the Western Australia Police Force a report on its findings the following year. Police charged Saunders in 2024.

Anyone who has a concern or complaint about abuse in a Catholic setting in Aotearoa New Zealand is encouraged to contact the Police or the Church’s National Office for Professional Standards on 0800 114 622.

FULL STORY

Former Australian Catholic bishop sentenced for abusing Indigenous men (Associated Press/Crux Now)

Statement regarding the Christopher Saunders sentencing (ACBC Media Blog)

Argentine auxiliary bishop removed from office following allegations by two adults (EWTN News)