Former Catholic bishop sexually abused boys at "shirts-off" parties, court hears

A former high-ranking Catholic bishop had a sexual interest in young Aboriginal men and abused them at "alcohol-fuelled" parties in Western Australia's far north over several years, a Perth court has heard.Christopher Alan Saunders, 76, has faced the first day of his trial in the District Court, accused of offending against three males when he was the former Bishop of Broome, a senior position covering the entire Kimberley region.Mr Saunders hosted the parties at his Catholic Church-owned home in the tourist town where the dress code was "shirts off", the court heard.Christopher Saunders is the former Bishop of Broome. (ABC News: Erin Parke)The prosecutor said there was a "seemingly endless supply of alcohol and cigarettes" at the parties, which he said provided Mr Saunders with access to young Aboriginal men.He's charged with 26 offences including indecent assault and sexual penetration without consent.Prosecutor Adam Ebell told the court Mr Saunders allegedly used boxing and wrestling as a "subterfuge" for physical contact with the youths.Prosecutor Adam Ebell says Mr Saunders hosted "alcohol fuelled" parties at his residence in Broome. (ABC News: David Weber)Most of the charges involve one alleged victim who was aged 16 or 17 when the sexual conduct started, the court heard.Mr Saunders performed sexual acts on the teenager, the court heard, and asked the boy to do the same.Victim felt he couldn't 'say no'The prosecutor said Mr Saunders had allegedly brought alcohol into a dry community on a plane, before giving some to the teenager.The alleged victim "felt shame" about the things that had happened, Mr Ebell said, but he "felt like he could not say no".The court heard the victim felt he could not say no to the bishop's sexual advances. (ABC News: Ben Collins)The prosecutor told the jury the alleged victim felt there was a "power dynamic" between them."The power balance is an important aspect of the state's case," Mr Ebell said.The court was shown a photo of the alleged victim, shirtless, which the prosecutor said was found on Mr Saunders's phone.Mr Saunders held the position of bishop for 25 years, until his retirement in 2021.The trial is set down for three weeks, during which many witnesses are expected to give evidence, including the Bishop of Geraldton.Mr Saunders denies the charges and has long maintained his innocence.