Former Australian Catholic Bishop Christopher Saunders, 76, was sentenced to six and a half years in prison for sexual abuse committed against two young men

Former Catholic Bishop of Broome Christopher Saunders, 76, has been sentenced to six and a half years in prison for sexually abusing two Aboriginal young men. He will be eligible to apply for parole in February 2031.

The sentence follows a Western Australian jury finding him guilty in August of 13 of the 19 charges brought against him: one count of rape and 12 counts of sexual assault. The offences were committed between 2008 and 2019 in the Kimberley region, while Saunders was Bishop of Broome.

According to evidence presented in court, the former bishop invited the two young men to Catholic Church properties, including a residence in Broome and a property known as the “beach house”. Investigators argued that he used his position, Church resources, alcohol and other benefits to approach the victims and control them.

Judge Martin Flynn highlighted the seriousness of the offences and the impact of the abuse on the victims. One of them said they felt like “a toy” used by the former bishop. Saunders was acquitted of charges relating to a third young man, while other charges were withdrawn.

Ordained as a priest in 1976 and appointed Bishop of Broome in 1996, Saunders led the diocese for approximately 25 years. He resigned in 2021 after the allegations emerged, and Pope Francis accepted his resignation. The Catholic Church’s internal investigation, suspended during the criminal investigation, is due to resume.