Vatican Reviews Child Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Former Australian Bishop
The Vatican is currently reviewing a church investigation concerning “very serious and deeply distressing” allegations of child sexual abuse against a former Australian bishop, as stated by a church leader on Tuesday.
Bishop’s Resignation and Investigations
Christopher Saunders, who is now 73 years old, resigned from his position as the bishop of Broome in 2021. Broome is a vast diocese in northwest Australia, even larger than France, but with a population of only 50,000. This resignation came after the police dropped a sex crime investigation that had been initiated a year earlier when media reports surfaced regarding the allegations against him.
The church investigation into Saunders commenced after the police investigation concluded. Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, who heads the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, the church’s most senior national leadership group, confirmed this.
Vatican Involvement and Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith
A report of the investigation, overseen by Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge, was sent to the Vatican for further investigation by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. This Vatican office processes cases related to clergy abuse of minors, as per the church’s internal canon law.
According to Costelloe, “Bishop Saunders, who has maintained his innocence, is able to respond to the report by communicating directly with the Holy See.” He also emphasized that they hope for a timely resolution from the Holy See.
Allegations in Vatican Report
The contents of the 200-page Vatican report were disclosed by Australia’s Seven Network television news. The report suggests that Saunders likely sexually assaulted four Indigenous youths and may have groomed an additional 67 Indigenous youths and men, as reported by Seven.
Costelloe refrained from commenting on the specific allegations but expressed concern, saying, “The allegations against the former Bishop of Broome, Christopher Saunders, broadcast on Monday evening are very serious and deeply distressing, especially for those making the allegations. It is right and proper for them to be thoroughly investigated.”
Police Involvement
The Western Australia Police Force has requested a copy of the Vatican report. They stated that if further information emerges, they will conduct an investigation.
Previously, police conducted two investigations into allegations against Saunders between 2018 and 2020. However, prosecutors determined that there was insufficient evidence to press charges.
Notable Case in the Church
Saunders is now the highest-ranking cleric in Australia accused of child abuse, a scandal that has affected the church globally.
Notably, Cardinal George Pell, who was the third-highest-ranking cleric in the Vatican, was convicted in an Australian court in 2018 of sexually abusing two 13-year-old choirboys in a Melbourne cathedral in 1996, during his time as an archbishop. Pell spent 13 months in prison before his convictions were overturned on appeal. He maintained his innocence until his death in Rome in January.
Saunders began his work in Broome as a deacon in 1975 and assumed the role of bishop in 1996.