A former Catholic bishop put on alcohol-fuelled parties to get access to Aboriginal boys and men so he could sexually assault them, a jury has heard.

Christopher Alan Saunders, 76, has pleaded not guilty to a slew of sexual assault charges related to alleged offending from 2008 to 2017 while he was the Bishop of Broome in Western Australia’s Kimberley region.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: ‘No shirts allowed’ at former Broome bishop’s parties, court told

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“During that time, it is the state’s case that the accused sexually offended against multiple young Aboriginal males in different ways at different locations across the Kimberley,” prosecutor Adam Ebell told the Perth District Court jury on Tuesday.

Saunders, known as Brother B by his alleged victims, hosted parties for Aboriginal youths at a Catholic Church-owned property, he said.

“He gave them food, alcohol and cigarettes using funds owned by the Catholic Church,” Ebell said during his opening remarks.

“These parties provided the accused with access to young Aboriginal men.”

Christopher Saunders (pictured in 2008) is facing a sexual assault trial in Western Australia. Credit: Paul Miller/AAP

Saunders faces 26 charges related to three alleged victims.

Jurors were told the bishop’s parties had rules, and young men were often told to strip down to their boxer shorts.

Those without boxer shorts would be given a fresh pair by Saunders, Ebell said.

The then-bishop’s alleged grooming behaviour also included using boxing bouts and wrestling during the parties to grapple and touch his victims.

Saunders sometimes used his feet to allegedly indecently touch his victims.

The court was shown footage from a covert surveillance camera that was installed in the roof of Saunders’ Piggott Way home.

Police installed the camera on January 16, 2024 while Saunders was away in Perth, and it remained there until April 17.

The state intends to show the jury three hours of recordings from the camera.

Ebell said Saunders used his authority as a senior member of the Catholic Church to exploit victims, amid a power imbalance.

“The state says the accused, who took a vow of celibacy in 1975, had a sexual interest in young men and had a propensity to act when the opportunity presented itself,” he said.

Alleged find on former bishop’s phone

The court was told one alleged victim was about 16 when Saunders started abusing him.

It allegedly continued until he was in his 20s.

In one alleged incident, Saunders gave the young man alcohol and then sexually abused him multiple times while they were camping.

On another occasion, Saunders sexually assaulted the teen at his home after the pair showered together, Ebell alleged.

Saunders was allegedly found with a photo of the semi-naked man on his phone.

Ebell said the abuse happened at multiple locations on numerous occasions.

The State intends to show the jury three hours of recordings from the camera and about 10 minutes was shown during opening arguments.

Saunders also allegedly transported alcohol paid for by the Catholic Church into a dry community for his victims to drink.

Opening arguments for the defence are due to be heard on Wednesday.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call triple-0.

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