AUSTRALIA
The Guardian
March 11, 2020
By Michael McGowan
As police reportedly investigate serious allegations, Perth Archbishop says Saunders had ‘voluntarily stood aside’
One of the highest ranking members of the Catholic church in Australia, bishop of Broome Chris Saunders, has voluntarily stood aside from his position amid serious allegations.
On Wednesday the Perth archbishop, Timothy Costelloe, said Saunders had “voluntarily stood aside” from his position after the Vatican announced an internal investigation into the diocese.
It comes as Seven News reported on Wednesday that Western Australia police had been investigating claims of sexual misconduct made against the bishop since October 2018. The Guardian has confirmed there is an ongoing investigation into a complaint of an historical sexual assault, however no charges have been laid.
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