Former Bishop of Broome Christopher Saunders has indicated he will plead not guilty to 19 criminal offences after being arrested at his West Australian home. Source: ABC News.
Bishop Saunders is facing 14 counts of unlawful and indecent assault, two counts of sexual penetration without consent, and three counts of being a person in authority indecently dealing with a child.
The charges were read out to Bishop Saunders in the Broome Magistrates Court yesterday.
In court, the 74-year-old’s lawyer indicated that Bishop Saunders would enter pleas of not guilty.
He’s been released on bail on a $10,000 bond and will appear in court in June and must reside at his home in the northern WA town.
Bishop Saunders was first ordained as a priest in 1976 and was appointed Bishop of Broome in 1996.
He has spent almost 50 years in the Kimberley, being based in both Broome and serving stints at several remote Aboriginal community parishes.
In a statement yesterday responding to the charges, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB said: “The Church will continue to cooperate fully with the police and take every necessary step to avoid any actions which may compromise the integrity and autonomy of the police investigation.”
FULL STORY
Former Broome Bishop Christopher Saunders indicates he will plead not guilty to 19 criminal charges (By Erin Parke, ABC News)
Matter regarding Bishop Christopher Saunders (ACBC)
RELATED COVERAGE
Statement Re: Former Bishop Christopher Saunders (Broome Diocese)
Christopher Saunders: Former Broome bishop to plead not guilty to alleged historical child sex offences (The West Australian)
