Former Broome bishop Christopher Saunders has been sentenced to more than six years in prison for sexual offences against two young men. Source: The Catholic Leader.
The 76 year old was sentenced yesterday after being found guilty earlier this year of 13 offences committed while he was bishop of the Broome diocese in Western Australia.
Saunders was convicted of one count of sexual penetration and 12 counts of indecent assault. He was sentenced a total of six years and six months’ imprisonment.
He will be eligible for parole after serving four years and six months.
He led the remote diocese for almost 25 years before resigning as bishop in 2021.
The Broome Diocese covers a vast area of Western Australia, stretching across the Kimberley and Pilbara regions.
The offences involved two young men and occurred during Saunders’ time as bishop.
In a statement following the sentencing, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe said: “The sentence and the remarks made by His Honour Judge Flynn recognise the gravity and serious nature of the offences, as well as the profound impact on the victims and survivors of these crimes.”
“We join with Bishop Tim Norton, Catholic Bishop of Broome, in standing with each of the victims and survivors, those who have supported them, and the communities who have accompanied them to this day,” he said.
“Those who came forward to tell their story did so with great courage. They have our admiration and respect.
“Their journey to justice, marked by today’s sentencing, affirms and honours their resilience and strength.
“But the journey continues, for no court sentence can undo the suffering that has been caused or restore all that each person has lost.
“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 journey of the Church must also continue. The crimes for which the former bishop of Broome has been sentenced today are a shocking and shameful reminder of this.
“The bishops of Australia together, and in the name of the Catholic Church in Australia, reaffirm and renew our commitment to the work of healing, reconciliation and renewal; to listening, to learning, and to redoubling our efforts to ensure that safeguarding, accountability and transparency remain at the very heart of the Church’s life and mission.”
FULL STORY
Former Broome bishop sentenced to more than six years in jail (The Catholic Leader)
Statement regarding the Christopher Saunders sentencing (ACBC)
