76岁的前天主教布鲁姆主教克里斯托弗·艾伦·桑德斯因性虐待年轻土著男性被判有罪[1][2][3][4]。西澳地区法院陪审团在三周庭审后宣判桑德斯13项性犯罪罪名成立，包括1项未经同意的性渗透罪和12项非法及猥亵侵犯罪[1][2][3]。据称这些犯罪行为发生在2008年至2019年间[2][3][4]。
指控显示，桑德斯利用教会资金购买酒精和香烟，在教会产业举办酒精宴会，并通过摔跤等方式接近受害者[1][4]。控方检察官指出，被告"对年轻土著男性有性趣，且当机会出现时有付诸行动的倾向"[2][4]。桑德斯自始至终坚称无罪[1]。
桑德斯于1996年被任命为布鲁姆教区主教，在性虐待指控公开后于2020年辞职[2][4]。教宗方济各随后于一年后接受了他的辞呈[2][4]。此案使桑德斯成为澳大利亚在神职人员任期内被判性虐待罪的最高级天主教人士之一[2]。
A jury in Western Australia's District Court found Christopher Alan Saunders, 76, guilty of 13 sexual offenses against two young Aboriginal men on Thursday [1][2][3]. The former bishop of Broome was convicted of one count of sexual penetration without consent and 12 counts of unlawful and indecent assault [1][2][3][4]. The jury reached its verdict after deliberating for approximately seven hours, following a three-week trial [1].
Saunders initially faced 26 charges; 13 were dismissed due to insufficient evidence [1]. The alleged abuse occurred between 2008 and 2019 [2][3][4], during Saunders' tenure as bishop of Broome, a position he held from 1996 [2][4]. Prosecutors alleged that Saunders hosted alcohol-fueled gatherings at church properties and used wrestling to gain access to young Aboriginal men [1][4]. One prosecution witness testified that he was regularly harassed and given alcohol when he was 16 years old at a Broome residence [4]. The prosecutor stated that the defendant "has a sexual interest in young Aboriginal men and is inclined to act on that interest when the opportunity presents itself" [2][4].
Saunders has consistently maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings [1]. He resigned from his position in 2020 after the sexual abuse allegations became public [2][4], and Pope Francis accepted his resignation one year later [2][4]. Saunders is among the highest-ranking Australian Catholic clergy members to be convicted of sexual abuse crimes within the priesthood [2][3].