Catholic Bishop Christopher Saunders of Broom ‘voluntarily stood aside’ over alleged historic sex crimes

WA’s longest serving Catholic Bishop — Christopher Saunders of Broome — has “voluntarily stood aside” after it emerged he was under investigation for alleged historical sex crimes against two young men. In a special report on 7NEWS tonight, it was revealed police have been investigating the accusations against the 70-year-old for the past 18 months under the codename “Operation White Plane”. Police have confirmed they have formally interviewed past and serving members of the Bishop’s staff, including a priest. Complaints were made direct to the Archbishop of Perth, Timothy Costelloe, and the Church’s Professional Standards office in Canberra. Archbishop Costelloe yesterday afternoon issued a statement saying Bishop Saunders had “voluntarily stood aside from the ordinary administration of the diocese”. The statement said Emeritus Bishop of Wollongong Peter Ingham had been appointed “apostolic visitator” while Monsignor Paul Boyers would be responsible for the day-to-day running of the diocese. The statement said the Holy See was “conscious of the particular situation in the diocese of Broome and concerned for the pastoral care of the clergy, religious and laity of the diocese”. Bishop Saunders, who was appointed to the role in 1996 after serving as a priest in the diocese for the previous 20 years, vehemently rejected any allegation of wrongdoing when pressed by 7NEWS. “Let me say without any doubt whatsoever, without any reservation, that has never happened, and it never would happen,” he said. “It’s completely malicious and I’m sorry to hear it from the press instead of from the police. “There is absolutely no substance to it whatsoever.” 7NEWS reported two alleged victims from remote WA say they are getting frustrated with the delays. One of the young men — who for legal reasons cannot be identified — said he made his official signed complaint in October 2018. “I still don’t understand why it’s taking them so long,” he said. 7NEWS started investigating the claims a month ago. The police investigation is now being handled by State Crime officers from Perth. The case has passed through four sets of detectives in 18 months. Police Minister Michelle Roberts’ office confirmed the investigation was “active”. Two priests from the vast diocese — which covers the whole north of the State — had called on the Church to take decisive action against Bishop Saunders. One priest said he was so frustrated with the official delays and inaction that he decided to resign and has since moved interstate. Another priest wrote in a letter of complaint to the Church that he was “bitterly disappointed with the response of Catholic Professional Standards” especially since the area covered “some of the most vulnerable and culturally dispossessed people in Australia”. One former Church staff member wrote to Professional Standards saying: “What disturbs me most is that so many people in the church in Sydney, Rome and Perth have known about this ... but nothing has been done”. The priests and staff members say the Catholic “Towards Healing” policy on sex abuse clearly states the subject of an investigation should be moved and all possible contact between the Bishop and the complainants cease. The document states: “At any time, the Director of Professional Standards may recommend to the Church Authority that the accused be asked to stand aside ... pending investigation.”