Catholic Bishop Christopher Saunders dey charged with rape

Authorities don charge Australian bishop Christopher Saunders with rape and some historical sex offences - some against children.

Dem arrest di 74-year-old for Broome on Wednesday, after investigations ordered by Western Australian police and di Pope.

Mr Saunders don indicate say e go plead not guilty to all charges against am.

Authorities deny Mr Saunders, wey bin don deny di accuse in di past bail, and e go appear for court on Thursday.

Na one of di most senior Catholic cleric to face charges of dis kain nature.

Mr Saunders dey charged with two counts of rape, 14 counts of unlawful and indecent assault, and three counts of indecently dealing with a child as pesin in authority.

Di alleged offence happun for di remote Western Australian towns of Broome, Kununurra and di Aboriginal community of Kalumburu between 2008 and 2014.

Aside from di late Cardinal George Pell, wey dem jail and den free, Mr Saunders na di most senior Catholic official for di kontri to dey charged with child sex offences.

Inside statement on Thursday, Di Australian Catholic Bishops Conference promise to cooperate with police, and say di charges against Mr Saunders dey "very serious and deeply distressing, especially for those wey dey make di allegations".

"E dey right and proper, and indeed necessary, say all such allegations suppose dey thoroughly investigated," Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe tok.

Mr Saunders wey dem first ordain for 1976, don spend most of im career for di remote Kimberley region for di nation north-west corner, and e bin dey appointed Bishop of Broome for 1996.

Di diocese stretch reach about 770,000 sq km (297,000 sq miles) - one area roughly di size of Turkey - and cover some of di most remote parts of di kontri.

Well known for socialising, im advocacy work, and escorting young men on camping and fishing trips, Mr Saunders for long be a powerful figure within di local community. Dem even name one beer afta am.

Di accusations first come out for 2020, but dem close di initial police investigation wey follow without charge.

E bin voluntarily step down as di Bishop of Broome for 2020, but e still remain emeritus bishop.

However afta one ogbonge investigate wey di Pope order, police begin a new investigation.

Only small number of Vos Estis Lux Mundi inquiries na im dem don do around di world. Meaning "You Are the Light of the World" in Latin, na di pontiff dey commission Vos Estis investigations and e bin dey introduced for 2019 to fight sexual abuse and take action against bishops and oda high-ranking officials for di Catholic Church.