Bishop Saunders stood aside as Bishop of Broome in March 2020 after media reports that Western Australia Police had begun an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct.
The Holy See has now initiated a canonical investigation.
The Diocese of Broome has this week issued an urgent call to Perth Catholics to volunteer in various towns across the diocese.
The Diocese of Broome provides essential services to a number of Aboriginal communities, but due to COVID-19 border restrictions, interstate volunteers are unable to enter Western Australia.