Kimberley leaders hope jailing of 'evil' Broome bishop exposes more abusers
Community leaders in Western Australia's Kimberley region are urging locals to call out sex abusers, following the jailing of a Catholic cleric they call "an evil predator".
Albert Wiggan, an Aboriginal community leader, likens the imprisonment of former Broome bishop Christopher Saunders to cutting off a snake's head. The bishop, once viewed as a hero, was sentenced to over six years for sexually assaulting two young men. Wiggan, who had known Saunders since childhood, expresses deep concern for those who were betrayed, describing it as a sense of betrayal.
Current Bishop Tim Norton acknowledges the Catholic Church's slow response to the abuse and emphasizes the need for faster action. Saunders, a long-time member of the Broome Diocese, arrived in 1975 and was trusted by families in remote Aboriginal communities. However, the community leaders are now urging people to expose such behavior.
Despite being found guilty, the Catholic Church has not defrocked Saunders, retaining his honorary titles and a negotiated retirement package. Human rights advocate Dr. Hannah McGlade commends the six-year sentence but stresses the church's responsibility for the inflicted harm. The Kimberley region faces high rates of suicide, self-harm, and family violence, with institutional abuse continuing to impact survivors.
Bishop Norton commits to holding healing and reconciliation sessions in Broome, emphasizing the community's resilience and resilience.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
