Outback priest allegedly smuggled alcohol on church-owned plane, abused Aboriginal boys
Former Bishop of Broome, Christopher Alan Saunders, is on trial in Western Australia facing 26 sexual abuse charges involving young Aboriginal men. Prosecutors allege that Saunders abused his position of power to commit these crimes between 2008 and 2017.
Why it matters
The case is significant due to the defendant's high-ranking status within the Catholic Church and the historical nature of the alleged abuse against vulnerable communities.
— 4:49pm , first published 2:10pm
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Share A A A One of the nation’s highest-ranking Catholics allegedly plied young Aboriginal boys with alcohol, made them strip off and sexually abused them at Catholic Church-owned properties across outback Western Australia, a court has heard.
Christopher Alan Saunders, 76, appeared in WA’s District Court on Wednesday, for the first day of his trial on 26 sexual abuse charges against three young Aboriginal men, ranging from indecent assault to sexual penetration without consent.
Former Bishop of Broome, Christopher Saunders. The incidents were alleged to have taken place between 2008 and 2017, when Saunders was the Bishop of Broome, in WA’s Kimberley region. Saunders has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and has long maintained his innocence.
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