Former Australian bishop jailed for abusing two young Aboriginal men
Christopher Saunders was sentenced to six and a half years in prison after being convicted of sexually abusing two young Aboriginal men.
What has changed? · 07/10/2026, 05:14 UTC
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Christopher Saunders, the former Catholic bishop of Broome in Western Australia, was sentenced on Wednesday to six and a half years in prison for sexually abusing two young Aboriginal men. The 76-year-old will be eligible for parole in February 2031, BBC News reports. [1]
A jury found Saunders guilty in August of one count of rape and 12 counts of indecent assault. The offences took place between 2010 and 2019. He was acquitted of alleged offences against a third young man. District Court Judge Martin Flynn said Saunders had disregarded the two men’s dignity and caused them lasting harm. [1]
Saunders resigned as Bishop of Broome after accusations emerged in 2020. Archbishop of Perth Timothy Costelloe apologised to the men who came forward and has said a paused church investigation would restart. He said Rome would decide whether Saunders loses his remaining title and ministry powers. [1]
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