Former Broome bishop Christopher Saunders allegedly used boxing and wrestling as a "subterfuge" to make physical contact with young Aboriginal men, a Perth court has heard.

The 76-year-old faced the first day of his District Court trial on Monday over 26 charges, including indecent assault and sexual penetration without consent.

As reported by the ABC, prosecutor Adam Ebell told the court Mr Saunders hosted alcohol-fuelled parties at his Catholic Church-owned Broome residence while serving as bishop.

The court heard the gatherings had a "shirts off" dress code and an "endless supply" of alcohol and cigarettes, which prosecutors allege gave Mr Saunders access to young Aboriginal men.

Most of the charges relate to one alleged victim who was aged 16 or 17 when the alleged offending began.

Mr Ebell told the jury Mr Saunders allegedly performed sexual acts on the teenager and asked him to do the same.

The court heard Mr Saunders had also allegedly brought alcohol by plane into a dry Aboriginal community before giving some to the teenager.

Mr Ebell said the alleged victim felt shame about what had happened and believed he could not say no because of the power imbalance between them.

"The power balance is an important aspect of the state's case," he said, the ABC reported.

The jury was shown photographs of the alleged victims and other young Aboriginal men without shirts, which prosecutors said were taken by Mr Saunders.

Mr Saunders is also accused of offending against two other men, including one aged 24 and another in his late teens.

The court heard further witnesses would give evidence about their experiences with Mr Saunders, although those allegations are not the subject of charges before the jury.

Mr Saunders served as Bishop of Broome for 25 years before retiring in 2021.

The trial is expected to run for three weeks.

Mr Saunders denies the charges and has maintained his innocence.