Australian bishop Christopher Saunders, 74, faces charges of rape and numerous historical sex offenses, including some against children.
He was arrested in Broome following investigations by Western Australian police and the Pope. Saunders intends to plead not guilty to all charges.
The senior Catholic cleric is accused of two counts of rape, 14 counts of unlawful and indecent assault, and three counts of indecently dealing with a child.
The alleged incidents occurred between 2008 and 2014 in remote Western Australian towns.
Saunders, released on bail, is ordered to remain at his home until his next hearing in June.
Apart from Cardinal George Pell, he is one of the highest-ranking Catholic officials in Australia to face such charges.
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference pledged cooperation with authorities, acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations.
Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe emphasized the importance of thorough investigations.
Ordained in 1976, Saunders served mainly in the Kimberley region and became Bishop of Broome in 1996.
Known for his community involvement and advocacy, he voluntarily stepped down from his bishopric in 2020 but remains an emeritus bishop.
The accusations surfaced in 2020, leading to an initial police investigation that didn’t result in charges.
However, a subsequent inquiry initiated by the Pope prompted a fresh investigation by authorities.
The case falls under the purview of Vos Estis Lux Mundi, a mechanism established in 2019 to address sexual abuse within the Catholic Church and hold high-ranking officials accountable.
Source-BBC
