Christopher Saunders: Former Broome bishop to plead not guilty to alleged historical child sex offences

A former Broome Bishop at the centre of a top-secret investigation ordered by the Pope has indicated he will defend alleged historical child sex offences after appearing in court for the first time. As exclusively revealed by 7NEWS, Christopher Saunders was arrested outside his Broome home and taken to Broome Police Station to be questioned by child sex abuse detectives on Wednesday. The 74-year-old spent the night in police custody and faced Broome Magistrates Court on Thursday. He has been charged with two counts of sexual penetration without consent, 14 counts of unlawful and indecent assault and three counts of dealing with a child under his authority aged between 16 and 18. Those offences are alleged to have occurred between 2008 and 2014 in Broome, Kununurra and Kalumburu. Police have also charged him with possessing a firearm or ammunition without a licence and several counts of inadequately storing firearms in Leschenault and Broome in December and January. Bishop Saunders’ lawyer Seamus Rafferty told the court that Mr Saunders would plead not guilty to the offences. He was granted bail and is next due to appear in Broome Magistrates Court on June 17. Tensions flared outside the courthouse when 7NEWS reporter Geof Parry found himself in a physical altercation with a supporter of the Bishop, who was picking him up after he was released on bail. As Mr Parry attempted to ask Mr Saunders questions, the man pushed Mr Parry aside — resulting in the scuffle, which spilled onto the footpath before court security separated the two parties. In a statement on Thursday, Most Rev Michael Morrissey — the Apostolic Administrator for the Broome Catholic Diocese — released a statement saying that “of greatest importance is the support and care of those who bring such allegations to light”. “Allegations against the former Bishop of Broome, Christopher Saunders, are serious and deeply distressing,” he said. “All such allegations must be thoroughly investigated. The protection of children and vulnerable adults is the Church’s highest priority. “I reaffirm my personal commitment, and the commitment of the Diocese of Broome, to providing support and assistance to survivors of abuse and repairing the wrongs of the past. “The Catholic Diocese of Broome urges any person with evidence of criminal conduct to report the matter to their local police.” Police Commissioner Col Blanch said the charges were laid after detectives were provided with a “comprehensive report” from the Vatican investigation into Bishop Saunders. “There’s a number of factors as to why we’ve got to now charges but again, I want to thank I want to thank the media for keeping up the pressure,” he said. “I want to thank the alleged victims who came forward. They’re very brave and courageous. I want to thank the investigators who have done a wonderful job and the community of Broome have also stood up and helped.” Premier Roger Cook said it was clear the community was disappointed when cases were prolonged. “We’re all disappointed, right across all sectors, where we see situations where institutions have not moved fully and have not been as accountable as the community would expect,” he said. “I’m pleased that both the media and the parliamentary process has played their role in ensuring that we hold people to account for these sort of offences. “I’m pleased now that charges have been placed, but it is before the court and so I won’t comment any further in relation to that matter.” Bishop Saunders has been at the centre of a number of investigations over the years. He has always denied any allegations that emerged from those investigations. One of the most recent probes was called off in May 2021 after police and prosecutors cited “insufficient evidence” to lay charges. Since the acquittal of Cardinal George Pell in the High Court in 2020, Bishop Saunders has become the highest-ranked Catholic in the country to face a sex crimes investigation. It is believed he may be the highest-ranked official of any religion in Australia to face such serious accusations. Bishop Saunders was ordained as a priest in 1976 and moved full-time to the Kimberley region. He became a Bishop in 1996. In May 2021, police and prosecutors announced they would not lay charges claiming “insufficient evidence”. Bishop Saunders resigned from his position in Broome just months later, in August, but still holds his title as Bishop and his entitlements.