The former bishop of Broome has been arrested at his home over alleged historical sex offences against Indigenous youth and children, some dating back more than 50 years.

7NEWS reported on Wednesday night that 74-year-old Christopher Saunders, who was the focus of a top-secret investigation ordered by the Pope, was arrested outside his Piggott Way property late on Wednesday afternoon by the WA Child Abuse squad and taken to Broome Police Station to be questioned.

On Thursday, Police confirmed Saunders was charged with two counts of sexual penetration without consent, 14 counts of Unlawful and Indecent Assault and three counts of being a person in authority and indecently dealing with a child between the ages of 16 and 18.

He was denied bail and is due to appear in Broome Magistrates Court today

In 2023 a leaked 200-page report from the Vatican found it was likely Saunders sexually assaulted four Indigenous youths, and may have groomed 67 others.

It also claimed he used significant amounts of church funding to bring alcohol into dry communities, and alleged other offences.

The original leaked report noted Saunders, who worked in the Broome diocese for half a century, "has been variously described by witnesses as … a sexual predator that seeks to prey upon vulnerable Aboriginal men and boys".

"During the investigation, four victims of sexual acts were identified. 67 additional Aboriginal boys and men were also identified as persons that may have been subjected to delictual (wrongful) acts or grooming behaviours by Bishop Saunders," it states.

Known as the 'Vos Estis inquiry', it found members of the Catholic Church community who stood up to Bishop Saunders in his position as Bishop, "have either lost their jobs, lost their faith, or suffered both psychological and reputational damage".

In May 2021, police called off an investigation into the former bishop, citing "insufficient evidence." He resigned from his position in the wake of bullying and abuse claims but still holds the title and entitlements of a bishop.

In January, it was reported that police had twice searched a former property of Sanders leading to reports he may be charged. At the time, Premier Roger Cook said the two visits by WA police "demonstrates how seriously they take these accusations".

Saunders has always denied any wrongdoings.

He has become the highest-ranking member of the church to be accused of sex crimes since the acquittal of Cardinal George Pell by the High Court in 2020.

This article was updated to include the charges laid by police