Vatican investigation alleges Australian Catholic bishop from Broome hosted ‘bunga bunga’ parties at church properties and sexually assaulted four Aboriginal boys

A Vatican investigation has found that a long-serving Catholic bishop from Broome allegedly sexually assaulted four Aboriginal boys and young men and groomed dozens more.

Christopher Saunders allegedly hosted “bunga bunga” parties at church properties and spent thousands of dollars of church money on cash payments, cell phones, alcohol and cigarettes, Seven Network reported and The Australian newspaper.

The bishop denied the allegations and was not charged by Western Australia Police, but he resigned in 2020 after allegations of sexual misconduct and bullying surfaced.

The 200-page Vos Estis Lux Mundi investigation, the first in Australia, identified 67 Aboriginal boys and young men who may have been victims of sexual assault or grooming by the bishop.

It is understood that some or all of the alleged offenses occurred in other states or territories.

“It has been established through interview of witnesses and examination of documents and other evidence that Bishop Christopher Saunders developed a modus operandi of grooming young Aboriginal men for sexual relations during his stay in the Kimberley region, both as a priest and as a bishop,” the report said.

Witnesses interviewed described the bishop as “a wonderful speaker and strong leader” but also a sexual predator preying on vulnerable Indigenous boys and young men.

The report also criticized WA Police’s investigation into the Bishop’s alleged offense and the decision not to pursue criminal charges due to difficulties in establishing the victims’ ages at the time of the alleged offense .

WA Premier Roger Cook said it was a “scourge” on the Catholic Church because the incidents had not been reported earlier.

“I am happy that the Vatican has undertaken this investigation and investigation,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

“We want these situations, these investigations to get to the bottom of it so that we can find some relief and some comfort for victims of this type of sexual abuse.”

The Vatican report said Mr Saunders spent thousands of Church funds on gifts and extravagant “bunga bunga” parties for the targets he was planning.

He called on the report’s authors to provide police with any new evidence that could be used in a prosecution.

Washington police said they had requested a copy of the Vatican report and if more information came to light they would investigate.

The force said it carried out two investigations into a number of complaints about a member of the Catholic Church in the Kimberley region between 2018 and 2020.

There was not enough evidence to bring criminal charges.

“Sexual offenses are complex and difficult to prosecute,” a spokeswoman said.

“In all cases, the well-being of the plaintiffs is of the utmost importance.”

In a statement, the Archbishop of Perth, Timothy Costelloe, president of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference, said the allegations against Bishop Saunders were “very serious and deeply distressing” and it was right that they subject to in-depth investigation.

He said the church’s investigation was being overseen by the Archbishop of Brisbane, Mark Coleridge, and entrusted to an experienced and independent specialist investigation organisation.

The report has been transmitted to the Holy See and the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith is continuing the investigation, Archbishop Costelloe said.

“We will respect the confidentiality of this process by not commenting on the specific allegations that have been raised,” he said.

Mr Saunders ceased to be a bishop in 2020 but has denied all allegations of sexual misconduct and bullying made against him.

“When the time comes, the Holy See will make its decision. We hope this will not be unduly delayed.

Archbishop Costelloe said only after a “fair and authoritative conclusion” has been made can the process of rebuilding the Broome church community, under the leadership of Bishop Michael Morrissey, be continue to progress and bring healing.

No new complaints have been made to WA Police since its second investigation concluded.

Yawuru traditional owners in the region have welcomed the Vatican investigation and called for the national reparations program to include survivors of abuse that occurred after 2018.

“Any act towards a child or vulnerable person is abhorrent,” Nyamba Buru Yawuru operations director Taliah Payne said in a statement to AAP.

“These acts are harmful to any human being, especially if committed by someone you trust. Our children and the next generation are essential to the success of our communities.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redressal Support Service 1800 211 028.