Australian bishop acknowledges eight-year delay in abuse case against former cleric
Archbishop Timothy Costelloe said the church let police lead the investigation of former Bishop Christopher Saunders, causing an eight-year delay.
Timothy Costelloe, who heads the Australian Bishops Conference, admitted that the church’s decision to allow police to handle the case against former Bishop Christopher Alan Saunders resulted in an eight-year delay. He said the move was intended to preserve the integrity of the legal process. Saunders, now 76, was found guilty of 13 sexual offences after a West Australian District Court jury trial.
The Vatican had compelled Saunders to retire at age 71 in 2021, and police investigations were paused twice before being revived in 2024 with a Vatican-provided report. Costelloe emphasized that the church was not obstructing justice but was obliged to let independent police work proceed.
Why it matters
The case highlights how the Catholic Church balances internal procedures with civil justice in handling historic abuse allegations.
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