Former Broome Bishop Jailed for Sex Offences Against Young Men

Christopher Alan Saunders, 76, the former Bishop of Broome, has been sentenced to more than six years in prison for sex offences against two young men. He was found guilty earlier this year of multiple offences against the men when he was the bishop of a remote area of Western Australia.

Abuse Occurred at Various Locations

The victims were young Aboriginal men who lived in the Kimberley, where Indigenous people make up more than 40 per cent of the population. The assaults happened at various places, including at the former bishop's Catholic church-owned residence in the popular tourist haven of Broome, and at a retreat known as the "beach house".

The court had been told of "shirts off" gatherings that Saunders held, supplying alcohol and food to young men wearing only boxer shorts. The then-bishop would occasionally engage in wrestling and boxing with the men, the court heard.

The court was told Saunders had used his feet to touch young men sexually, had kissed them on the lips, grabbed their "privates" and in one instance, engaged in oral sex without consent.

Sentence and Reaction

Judge Martin Flynn handed down sentences in the District Court of WA this morning for all 13 offences, with a total effective sentence of six and a half years. Saunders will be eligible for parole in February 2031.

Saunders showed no reaction after the sentences were handed down. He was accused of offences against three men but was only found guilty of charges related to two of them.

Victim's Statement

Judge Flynn read out part of a statement provided to the court by one of the victims, who Saunders abused over several years.

"I was a toy that he was using," the victim said. "My head is pounding now, I'm in so much pain." "I can't talk about it."

Church Response

In a statement, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, the president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC), apologised for "the pain and suffering that was inflicted" on the victims.

"We are sorry that your trust was so directly and profoundly betrayed by a leader of the Church," Archbishop Costelloe said. He said the ACBC would redouble its efforts at "safeguarding, accountability and transparency".

New Broome Bishop Tim Norton also expressed his sorrow, acknowledging "the sentence cannot heal the damage done".