Child abuse detectives have searched a Broome property understood to be the recent home of former Catholic Bishop Christopher Saunders, who was last year the subject of investigations over alleged abuse involving Indigenous youths.
In 2023, a top secret investigation ordered by Pope Francis, which produced a leaked 200-page report, found it was likely Saunders sexually assaulted four Indigenous youths, and may have groomed 67 others.
He is also said to have used large church funds to bring alcohol into dry communities, among other activities.
The former Bishop served his post in Broome for almost 50 years.
Saunders has denied any wrongdoing.
Reported by ABC, two police cars and five unmarked police vehicles arrived at the suburban Broome house.
Police reportedly took storage containers into the somewhat obstructed house.
Saunders is understood to have lived at the house until last year.
According to The Australian, a WA Police spokesperson said "Child Abuse Squad detectives are in Broome as part of an ongoing investigation into historic child sex offences."
Saunders stepped down from his role in 2020.
