The former Bishop of Broome is facing six additional criminal charges, including that he allegedly raped a boy under the age of 13.

Christopher Alan Saunders, 75, who has been accused of alleged historical sex offences against Indigenous youth and children, was arrested by detectives from the child abuse squad on Sunday.

He was charged with sexual penetration of a child under the age of 13, three counts of indecent dealings with a child under the age of 13, as well as two counts of common assault.

WA Police allege Mr Saunders indecently dealt a male child between 2009 and 2010.

His latest arrest means Mr Saunders now faces a total of 39 charges.

Last year, he became 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.

WA Police initially arrested Mr Saunders in February, charging him with 26 offences. These included two counts of sexual penetration without consent, three counts of indecent dealings with a child and 14 counts of unlawful and indecent assault.

At his first court appearance it was alleged all charges related to one child, who was aged between 16- and 17-years-old at the time of the alleged offending.

Mr Saunders pleaded not guilty to 19 of these charges in September.

In June, he was charged with two counts of unlawful and indecent assault, which he pleaded not guilty to.

In December, the 75-year-old was charged with five additional counts of sexual assault of a 24-year-old male, which allegedly occurred in 2016.

When he faced the Broome Magistrates Court on December 23, Mr Saunders indicated he intended to plead not guilty to the five new charges.

His bail was extended - with conditions - to February 3, when he is expected to return to court.

Mr Saunders has always denied any wrongdoings and will likely stand trial in Broome District Court at a date later this year.

If you are a victim of sexual abuse, or if you have information about someone being sexually abused, please contact police on 131 444, or report the information anonymously via the Safe2Say online reporting platform.