Vatican stands WA’s longest-serving Catholic bishop Christopher Saunders down amid alleged sex crimes

The Vatican has sent WA’s longest serving Catholic bishop — Christopher Saunders of Broome — on six months “sabbatical leave” away from his remote Kim-berley diocese amid investi-gations into allegations of historical sex crimes. Bishop Saunders “voluntarily stood aside” in March after it was revealed police had been investigating him for more than a year under the codename Operation White Plane. The investigation centred on allegations of sexual misconduct involving two young Aboriginal men. The Vatican also launched a probe into the operation of the diocese. Bishop Saunders, 70, continued to live in a Church-owned house in Broome and caused concern by continuing to carry out Church services and pastoral visits. However, in a statement released on Saturday via Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, the Holy See said Bishop Saunders would take six months leave outside the diocese effective immediately. “Considering all the circumstances surrounding the Diocese of Broome, the Holy See has granted the Most Reverend Christopher A. Saunders a six-month sabbatical leave outside of the Diocese of Broome,” it said. “This period will begin on the 28th of November, the vigil of the Season of Advent, which inaugurates the new Liturgical Year of the Church. “This period will represent a significant moment for a fruitful discernment of the whole situation of the Diocese, including the organisation of its structures and with particular attention to the pastoral care of the faithful. “Furthermore, it will offer the opportunity to clarify matters that may have created suspicion, confusion and uncertainty within the local church.” No charges have been laid and Bishop Saunders, 70, has professed his innocence. Catholic priest Father John Purnell, who alerted police to the alleged assaults, said the news was “like a weight lifted off my head after two years of trying to get something done”. “Finally now the Vatican is actually doing something and Pope Francis is obviously true to his word that he’s not going to allow abuse of power and authority in the Church any longer,” he said. “If it was a priest, it would have been dealt with two years ago ... but because it was a bishop, who is only answerable to the Pope and no one else, that then becomes the whole problem.” Fr Purnell said he was frustrated the police investigation was taking so long. It is understood that two years in, some of the alleged victims are yet to be interviewed. Bishop Saunders was nowhere to be seen at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cathedral in Broome yesterday as the Rev. Father Alexis Vega-Osorio led morning Mass. At the end of the service, the Rev. Fr Vega-Osorio told parishioners this was the time to pray for Bishop Saunders and keep the faith rather than becoming confused by different perceptions. Bishop Saunders, who was appointed to the role in 1996 after serving as a priest in the diocese for the previous 20 years, denied any allegation of wrongdoing when questioned by 7NEWS this year. “Let me say without any doubt whatsoever, without any reservation, that has never happened and it never would happen,” he said.