Child abuse detectives have searched a Broome property which the ABC reported was the temporary home of the disgraced bishop emeritus Christopher Saunders.
WA police have confirmed that they spoke to a 74-year-old man in relation to their inquiries and that he was released without charge.
Saunders has previously denied accusations he sexually assaulted and groomed young Aboriginal men in Western Australia over his 50-year career.
He stood aside in 2020 and Pope Francis accepted his resignation in 2021.
Police investigated allegations against Saunders from 2018 to 2020 but did not find enough evidence to press charges. A Vatican inquiry was then launched, which alleged it was likely four sexual acts had taken place, and another 67 youths may have been subjected to sexual or grooming behaviours, Seven News reported.
The Vatican report also alleged Saunders spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on items including alcohol, cigarettes and bus and air fares.
That report was handed to WA police in May 2023. Last week, the police had no update on the situation.
Western Australia police on Tuesday said in a statement: “Child abuse squad detectives are in Broome as part of an ongoing investigation into historic child sex offences.”
“Child abuse squad detectives remain in the Kimberley conducting further inquiries.”
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference said last year that “no potential victims in the [Vatican] report were confirmed or identified as being under the age of 18”.
As recently as October last year, Saunders was still listed as the responsible person for diocese charities, which have had assets worth hundreds of thousands of dollars and revenue in excess of $1m.
The Geraldton bishop, Michael Morrissey, has been overseeing the Broome diocese since Saunders left and is now listed with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission as the responsible person.
The whistleblower priest John Purnell said last week that victims would be frustrated at the lack of progress.
“[The alleged victims] would be frustrated, disappointed and disillusioned and I assume many would be angry,” he said.
Purnell worked with Saunders in the Broome diocese and alerted police to allegations about him after he was approached by an alleged victim. He is calling for Saunders to be defrocked, a decision that sits with the Vatican.
Guardian Australia on Tuesday contacted Saunders and the diocese for comment.
• In Australia, children, young adults, parents and teachers can contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800; adult survivors can seek help at Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380. In the UK, the NSPCC offers support to children on 0800 1111, and adults concerned about a child on 0808 800 5000. The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) offers support for adult survivors on 0808 801 0331. In the US, call or text the Childhelp abuse hotline on 800-422-4453. Other sources of help can be found at Child Helplines International
