Detectives return to Broome, ex-Bishop's home searched

Police have reportedly searched the WA home of the former Bishop of Broome Christopher Saunders. (Paul Miller/AAP PHOTOS)

Child abuse squad detectives have travelled to a popular holiday town as part of an investigation into historic sex offences. 

Police have searched the Western Australian home of the former Bishop of Broome Christopher Saunders for a second time.

Premier Roger Cook said detectives were investigating "some very grievous allegations".

"The fact that they're back there today really just demonstrates how seriously they take these accusations," he said on Thursday.

"We're really pleased that they are providing resources that are getting on top of that situation."

The same property was searched by police on January 15. The visits come several months after the Catholic Church handed detectives a report detailing allegations of sexual assault and grooming against the veteran cleric.

The Vatican report found Bishop Saunders hosted "bunga bunga" parties at church properties in Broome, the Seven Network previously reported.

He also allegedly spent thousands of dollars in church money on cash payments, mobile phones, alcohol and cigarettes. 

The Vatican identified 67 Indigenous boys and young men who may have been subjected to sexual assault or grooming.

Police are understood to have reopened an investigation into the former bishop after receiving the report.

Bishop Saunders has previously denied the allegations and has not been charged by police.

He resigned from his role in Broome in 2020 after sexual misconduct and bullying claims emerged.

The church previously said Bishop Saunders refused to leave the Broome diocese during its internal investigation and he also chose not to participate in questioning.

Its 200-page Vos Estis Lux Mundi investigation found Bishop Saunders developed a "modus operandi" of grooming young Indigenous men for sex during his time in the Kimberley region.

It also interviewed witnesses who described the bishop as being "a wonderful orator and strong leader" but also a sexual predator preying on vulnerable ­Indigenous boys and young men.

The report was also critical of the WA police's previous investigation into the bishop's alleged offending and the decision not to press criminal charges due to difficulties in establishing the ages of victims at the time of the alleged offending.

WA Police has previously said it carried out two investigations into a number of complaints regarding a member of the Catholic Church in the Kimberley between 2018 and 2020.

It said there was insufficient evidence to lay criminal charges.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store