A jury in Western Australia has convicted former Catholic Bishop Christopher Saunders of sexually abusing two young Indigenous men, adding another significant conviction to Australia’s long-running clergy abuse scandal.
The 76-year-old former bishop was found guilty Thursday of 13 of 19 charges involving alleged abuse committed between 2008 and 2019 while he led the remote Diocese of Broome.
The convictions include one charge of sexual penetration without consent and 12 counts of indecent assault.
Saunders was acquitted of six other charges, including allegations involving a third person and an offense concerning an individual over the age of 16. Four additional charges involving alleged sexual penetration of a child under 13 were withdrawn at the beginning of the three-week trial.
Prosecutors described pattern of targeting young Indigenous men
Prosecutors alleged that Saunders used his position and church resources to attract young Indigenous men to a church-owned residence in Broome.
According to the prosecution case, alcohol and cigarettes were provided at gatherings, with some expenses paid through church funds. Guests were reportedly expected to remove their shirts, creating an environment prosecutors said allowed Saunders to pursue young men who were vulnerable to his influence.
Prosecutor Adam Ebell argued that Saunders had a sexual interest in young Aboriginal men and repeatedly acted on that interest when opportunities arose.
The defense acknowledged that Saunders held alcohol-fueled gatherings where young men sometimes removed clothing but rejected the allegation that the behavior was sexual.
Defense lawyer Tony Hager characterized his client’s conduct as unconventional and potentially inappropriate but maintained that it did not amount to sexual abuse.
Saunders faces sentencing in September
Saunders showed little visible reaction when the verdicts were read in court.
He had remained free on bail since his arrest and charging two years ago. Following the convictions, he did not seek to continue his bail.
The former bishop is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 21.
Saunders led the Diocese of Broome from 1996 until his resignation in 2021. The vast diocese covers an area larger than France but has a population of only about 50,000 people, with Indigenous Catholics making up much of the local Catholic community.
Church and Vatican investigations preceded charges
Saunders’ departure from church leadership followed years of allegations and investigations.
He initially stepped away from governance duties after media reports raised allegations against him. Police later announced that an investigation had been discontinued.
The Vatican launched its own investigation in 2022. A lengthy report was subsequently provided to Western Australia police, prompting authorities to reopen their investigation and eventually charge Saunders in 2024.
Although the Vatican report was not officially released, portions were leaked to Australian media. Reports based on the document alleged that Saunders may have sexually assaulted several Indigenous youths and men and may have groomed dozens of others.
Those broader allegations were not all part of the charges decided by Thursday’s verdict.
Broome bishop apologizes to victims
Current Broome Bishop Tim Norton apologized to people affected by the allegations and conviction.
Norton said the damage extended beyond those who had formally reported their experiences to police or testified in court, acknowledging the wider impact on people who had placed their trust in the Catholic Church and its leadership.
Saunders’ conviction places him among the highest-ranking Australian Catholic figures to be found guilty in connection with the global clerical sexual abuse crisis.
Former Cardinal George Pell was convicted in Australia of sexually abusing choirboys but later won an appeal. Former Archbishop Philip Wilson was also convicted over allegations related to concealing child sexual abuse before his conviction was overturned on appeal.
Broader Australian abuse scandal
The Saunders case comes against the backdrop of Australia’s extensive investigations into institutional responses to child sexual abuse.
A national inquiry examining the Catholic Church and other institutions found that approximately 7% of Australian Catholic priests were accused of sexually abusing children between 1950 and 2010.
The conviction in Western Australia is therefore being closely watched as another major test of accountability within the Catholic Church and its handling of allegations involving vulnerable communities.