Arabic version: إدانة سوندرز تثير تنديد زملائه في الكنيسة

According to ABC News, former Broome bishop Christopher Saunders has been found guilty of 13 counts of sexually abusing two young men during his tenure in Western Australia’s north. Saunders, 76, was acquitted of six other charges. He is in custody and is expected to return to court for sentencing next month, while remaining technically a bishop.

Former priest Matt Digges, who reported to Saunders for two decades, said he was overwhelmed when he learned of the verdict and thanked the victims for their honesty and courage. He said those who came forward had been targeted by people who did not want the truth to emerge, describing the outcome as a moment when “an evil has been called out”.

Mr Digges said Saunders had damaged the Catholic Church’s reputation and undermined its pastoral work in the Kimberley. During the trial, the court heard Saunders had supplied alcohol to vulnerable young men at “shirts off” parties. Saunders had worked in some of Australia’s most remote Indigenous communities for about 40 years.

Faith Workers Alliance chief executive Chris Bedding said bishops were meant to be “shepherds and not wolves”, and said the perpetrator’s actions had brought disgrace on the church and betrayed the people he was sent to serve. Father John Purnell, who accompanied a young Indigenous man to a police station to make a statement, said justice had been done and praised the bravery of the victims.

Former secretary Cherrille Quilty, a prosecution witness, said the church had a major task of repairing the damage and criticised it for failing to act. Bishop of Broome Tim Norton apologised to the victims, saying the church was sorry for the shame they had endured and for the time it had taken for their voices and pain to be acknowledged.