Broome bishop Christopher Saunders resigns while Vatican stays silent on probe into his behaviour

A Broome bishop at the centre of a long-running misconduct investigation has stood down.

A Vatican statement released overnight revealed that Pope Francis had accepted the resignation of Bishop of Broome Christopher Saunders.

“The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Broome, Australia, presented by Bishop Christopher Alan Saunders,” it reads.

The statement contains no further detail — other than to appoint Bishop of Geraldton Michael Morrissey as interim administrator of the Dioceses.

Bishop Saunders has been serving in the Kimberley for nearly 50 years, was appointed to the role in 1996 after serving as a priest since the 1970s.

The 71 year-old Bishop has been dogged by allegations of misconduct — both sexual and management-related — in recent years. Both the Vatican and WA Police both launched separate investigations into his behaviour.

He has strongly denied any wrongdoing, but voluntarily stood aside in March 2020 while WA Police investigated an allegation of sexual misconduct against him.

In May 2021, police ended the two-year investigation without pursuing charges.

The Vatican’s inquiry related to financial management and allegations of bullying. Bishop Saunders was sent on a six-month sabbatical away from Broome in November last year while the Holy See conducted inquiries.

Findings on the Bishop were submitted to Church higher-ups last year — but it is unclear whether he is still being investigated.

In June, Broome Monsignor Paul Boyers told Broome church-goers that the investigation was ongoing.

The Bishop’s resignation has thrown the future of the investigation into doubt.