The Catholic bishop accused of child sex offences at a college northeast of Perth 45 years ago will face court next month.
Bishop Max Davis, the head of the Catholic Church's military diocese, was on Friday charged by West Australian police with three counts of indecent treatment of children under 14.
Police allege Bishop Davis indecently assaulted a 13-year-old boy while he was a teacher at St Benedict's College in New Norcia in 1969.
Bishop Davis, 68, who lives in the ACT, is due to face the Perth Magistrates Court on July 25.
It's understood he is the first Australian bishop and the most senior Australian church official charged with a child sex offence.
The Catholic Military Ordinariate of Australia acknowledged the allegation in a statement on Sunday night.
It said Bishop Davis was not an ordained priest when the incident is alleged to have occurred, and he "emphatically denies" the charge.
Bishop Davis will stand aside while the matter is dealt with by the court.
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