Following the acquittal of Cardinal George Pell by the High Court in 2020,Bishop Christopher Saunders on Thursday became the most senior Catholic in the country accused of sex crime offences after police arrested him at his West Australian home.
Bishop Christopher Saunders has been arrested overnight.AAP
The 74-year-old spent the night in custody and will appear in Broome Magistrates Court on Thursday,charged with two counts of sexual penetration without consent,14 counts of unlawful and indecent assault and three counts of indecently dealing with a child as a person of authority.
The events over which charges have been laid allegedly occurred in Broome and Kununurra,in WA’s north-west,between 2008 and 2013.
His arrest follows several raids on his home by police in recent months,and comes after WA Police received a report from the Vatican detailing allegations of sexual assault and grooming against the cleric.
WA Police previously investigated a member of the Catholic Church based in the Kimberley between 2018 and 2020,however said at the time there was insufficient evidence to lay criminal charges.
Saunders has always denied any wrongdoing.
He began working in Broome as a deacon in 1975 and became bishop in 1996.
He resigned from his post in 2021.
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said the leaking of the Vatican report to a media organisation had supported the police investigation.
“Certainly,we did get a report from[the Vatican],it was quite comprehensive and,personally,in any investigation relating to historical sex offences,it takes a community,it takes media,and it takes good investigations and that’s what we’ve got here,” he said.
Speaking broadly about historical sexual abuse investigations,Blanch said the passage of time would not prevent police from looking into allegations.
In a statement,Archbishop of Perth Tim Costelloe said the allegations against Saunders were very serious and deeply distressing.
“It is right and proper,and indeed necessary,that all such allegations be thoroughly investigated” he 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.”
WA Premier Roger Cook said he was pleased police were able to pursue the investigation to the point where they were satisfied they could press charges,but declined to comment further because the matter was before the courts.
The premier said any institution that received accusations of such seriousness needed to take those accusations seriously and treat them carefully.
“They also need to make sure that they cooperate with police fully so that they can be investigated and people can be brought to justice,” he said.
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