Christopher Alan Saunders, 76, a former high-ranking Catholic and one-time bishop of Broome, has been found guilty of 13 sex offences against two young Aboriginal men, while being acquitted of six other charges.
Key facts
- Christopher Alan Saunders, 76, was found guilty of 13 sex offences.
- He was acquitted of six other charges.
- The verdict was delivered following a jury trial in the West Australian district court on Thursday.
- Saunders is the former bishop of Broome and was accused of hosting alcohol-fuelled parties.
- The offences involved two young Aboriginal men.
A former high-ranking Catholic who was known for hosting alcohol-fuelled parties has been convicted of sexually abusing two young Aboriginal men, according to the Guardian.
Christopher Alan Saunders, 76, the former bishop of Broome, was found guilty of 13 sex offences on Thursday following a jury trial in the West Australian district court.
The Guardian reports that Saunders was acquitted of six other charges arising from the case.
Saunders had been accused of hosting what the Guardian described as boozy, shirts-off parties in the course of the alleged offending against the two young Aboriginal men.
The conviction marks the outcome of the jury’s deliberations in the district court, though the source does not detail any sentencing arrangements at this stage.
Why it matters
The conviction of a former senior Catholic figure adds to a long-running reckoning over abuse within the church and its impact on Indigenous communities. Cases involving vulnerable victims and figures in positions of authority carry significant public interest in Australia and beyond.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Christopher Alan Saunders?
According to the Guardian, Saunders, 76, is the former bishop of Broome and a former high-ranking Catholic known for hosting alcohol-fuelled parties.
What was the verdict?
He was found guilty of 13 sex offences and acquitted of six other charges following a jury trial in the West Australian district court.
Who were the victims?
The Guardian reports the offences involved two young Aboriginal men.