Prison for former bishop for sexual abuse! 'He invited me to half-naked meetings'

The sentence of Christopher Saunders, who sexually abused two young people while he was serving as a bishop in Australia, has been announced. Saunders was sentenced to 6 and a half years in prison for sexually abusing two young Aboriginal men in the case heard in the state of Western Australia.

'HE INVITED ME TO MEETINGS HALF NAKED'

It was stated that Saunders systematically manipulated the two young people, invited them to "half-naked" meetings, gave them alcohol, and generally used church funds and church-owned properties while doing this.

HE RESIGNED FROM THE BISHOP IN 2020

Saunders was accused for the first time in 2020 for crimes he committed between 2010 and 2019 and resigned as Bishop of Broome. The first police investigation was closed without any charges being brought, but after the Pope ordered an investigation, the police launched a new investigation. Saunders, 76, was convicted of one count of rape and 12 counts of sexual assault last August.

Saunders became one of the world's most senior Catholic leaders to face sexual abuse accusations.

Saunders, who was first ordained a priest in 1976, spent most of his career in the Kimberley region in the north-west of the country, and was appointed Bishop of Broome in 1996.

'SORRY'

Archbishop of Perth Timothy Costelloe said in his statement that the victims showed great courage and perseverance in seeking justice. "We are sorry for the pain and suffering that has been caused to you. We are sorry that your trust was so directly and profoundly betrayed by a leader of the church. No court order can take away the pain inflicted or bring back what has been lost," Costelloe said.