Retired Catholic bishop charged with sexual offenses in northwest Australia

Published February 21, 2024 6:46 PM

By ROD McGUIRK
Associated Press

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A retired Catholic bishop has been charged with sexual offenses including child abuse in a remote part of Australia’s northwest. Police say Christopher Saunders will appear in court Thursday in Broome, the heart of the sprawling Outback diocese where he had actively served as a cleric for 45 years. He has been in police custody since being charged Wednesday with several charges including indecent assault. The 74-year-old has previously denied any wrongdoing. He is among Australia’s most senior clerics to be accused in a clergy abuse scandal that has rocked the church.

Article Topic Follows: AP National

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