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An Australian bishop has appeared in court as a witness for the prosecution in the trial of the former head of the neighboring diocese on charges of sexual abuse.
Bishop Michael Morrissey of the Diocese of Geraldton appeared in court to give evidence in the trial of Bishop Christopher Saunders, the former leader of the Diocese of Broome on Monday, August 4, in Perth, Western Australia.
Bishop Saunders led the Broome diocese from 1996 until 2021, when he stepped down citing “ill health” amid allegations of grooming and sexual abuse of young Aboriginal men. He has since been charges with 19 counts of sexual abuse, as well as pleading guilty to multiple firearms charges last year.
On Monday, Bishop Morrissey was called as a witness by prosecutors and answered questions on “Integrity in Ministry,” a document first issued in 2004 by the Australian bishops’ conference outlining principles and standards for clergy in the country.
Morrissey was specifically asked about the allegations that Saunders used alcohol as a means of grooming and assaulting young men and minors. While Morrissey said he could conceive of offering some kind
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