Catholic Bishop Pleads Not Guilty to 45 Year Old Child Sex Abuse Charges

Davis was not an ordained priest when the incident is alleged to have occurred,
and he emphatically denies the charge

The head of the Catholic church's military diocese has briefly appeared in court charged with child sex offences dating back to 1969.

Western Australian police allege Bishop Max Davis, 68, indecently assaulted a 13-year-old boy while he was teaching at St Benedict's college in New Norcia, northeast of Perth.

It is understood he is the first Australian bishop and the most senior Australian church official to be charged with a child sex offence.

Bishop Max Davis

He has been charged with three counts of indecently dealing with children aged under 14. Davis, who now lives in the ACT, was not an ordained priest when the incident is alleged to have occurred, and he emphatically denies the charge.

On Friday in the Perth magistrates court, Davis's lawyer requested that his client not be required to turn up in person at his next appearance on 17 October and any other date on which his presence was not essential because he resided in Canberra.

The magistrate granted the request and agreed that Davis should only need to report to Belconnen police station.

Davis has stood aside from his duties while the matter is being dealt with by the court.