- Feb 5, 2002
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BROOME, Australia (OSV News) — The Australian bishops’ conference president, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe of Perth, has said the investigation into allegations against retired Bishop Christopher Saunders of Broome is “right and proper, and indeed necessary” after he was arrested by Western Australian police on nearly 20 charges of historical sexual abuse.
Police launched their second investigation into the former leader of the outback diocese in the country’s northwest after the church provided a Vatican report detailing its own investigation under “Vos Estis Lux Mundi” (“You are the Light of the World”) in September 2023.
The papal document “Vos Estis” on the responsibilities and accountability of bishops and superiors of religious orders with regard to clergy sex abuse was first issued in 2019. Pope Francis in 2023 promulgated an updated version of the church’s norms to prevent and counter sexual abuse against minors and vulnerable adults, and extending the norms to cover lay leaders of international associations of the faithful recognized by the Holy See. “Vos Estis” allows for the removal of bishops and superiors for serious negligence or “lack of diligence” in the exercise of their office, in particular with regard to the sexual abuse of minors.
Continued below.
www.oursundayvisitor.com
Police launched their second investigation into the former leader of the outback diocese in the country’s northwest after the church provided a Vatican report detailing its own investigation under “Vos Estis Lux Mundi” (“You are the Light of the World”) in September 2023.
The papal document “Vos Estis” on the responsibilities and accountability of bishops and superiors of religious orders with regard to clergy sex abuse was first issued in 2019. Pope Francis in 2023 promulgated an updated version of the church’s norms to prevent and counter sexual abuse against minors and vulnerable adults, and extending the norms to cover lay leaders of international associations of the faithful recognized by the Holy See. “Vos Estis” allows for the removal of bishops and superiors for serious negligence or “lack of diligence” in the exercise of their office, in particular with regard to the sexual abuse of minors.
19 alleged offenses
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Retired Australian bishop charged with 19 abuse offenses
"Allegations against the former Bishop of Broome, Christopher Saunders are very serious and deeply distressing, especially for those making those allegations," said Archbishop Costelloe. "It is right and proper, and indeed necessary, that all such allegations be thoroughly investigated.
www.oursundayvisitor.com
