Emeritus Bishop Christopher Saunders, a senior Australian Catholic clergyman, has been charged with historical sex offenses allegedly committed during his time as the bishop of Broome in Western Australia. The 74-year-old has been charged with multiple counts, including sexual penetration without consent, indecent assault, and indecently dealing with a child. Saunders was arrested at his home and denied bail. The allegations against him emerged in 2020, leading to a Vatican investigation. The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference cooperated with the police investigation, and the findings were passed on to the authorities. Saunders is the highest-ranking Australian Catholic official to face historical sex abuse charges since Cardinal George Pell, whose conviction was later overturned. Scandals of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church have prompted apologies and inquiries, with Australia’s investigation revealing a significant failure to protect vulnerable individuals and a high percentage of abuse cases within Catholic organizations.