Broome bishop Christopher Saunders stands down over serious allegations

AUSTRALIA
WAtoday

March 11, 2020

By Marta Pascual Juanola

One of Australia’s highest-ranking Catholics has voluntarily stood aside amid serious allegations.

On Wednesday afternoon the Catholic Church issued a statement saying Broome Bishop Christopher Saunders, 70, had stepped aside from the administration of the diocese and Monsignor Paul Boyers had been appointed to take care of the day to day running of the parish.

Police sources would not confirm the nature of the allegation, but agreed they were serious and local police were briefed about an incoming media presence in the town on Wednesday morning.

Bishop Saunders is one of Australia’s longest-serving bishops well-known for his interest in Indigenous affairs and involvement in Aboriginal study groups.

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