The Former Bishop of Broome Christopher Saunders has been arrested in dramatic scenes at his house in Western Australia’s north.
Police from the WA Child Abuse squad took the 72-year-old into custody at his Piggott Way property late on Wednesday afternoon.
WA Police have not confirmed whether charges have been laid but confirmed a person is assisting them with a “longstanding investigation”.
The development comes after five years of parallel police and internal church investigations into allegations of sexual abuse made by several men.
The allegations first became public in in early 2020, but a subsequent WA Police investigation was closed without charges being laid.
Emeritus Bishop Saunders has previously denied any wrongdoing.
In recent weeks, police have raided the former Bishop’s property twice.
It’s believed the renewed investigation was triggered by a 200-page Vatican report, which was leaked late last year.
The report was subsequently handed over to WA Police, triggering a new investigation.
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