Former Catholic School Principal Frank Klep on New Rape Charges

By Shannon Deery
The Australian
May 31, 2013

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/former-catholic-school-principal-frank-klep-on-new-rape-charges/story-e6frg6n6-1226654698797

Paedophile priest Frank Klep at the Magistrates Court. Picture: John Hart Source: Herald Sun

FORMER Salesian College Rupertswood principal Frank Klep has been charged with raping students after alleged victims came forward.

Police have charged the former principal with 20 new offences.

The 69-year-old former priest is now facing 31 charges of sexual abuse of boys between 1974 and 1984.

He appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates Court for a brief administrative hearing this morning.

The new charges include two counts of rape of a child under the age of 14 and a child under the age of 16.

The Salesians have previously denied allegations they moved Klep to Samoa after investigations into sex assault allegations began.

The former principal is one of three Salesians from Rupertswood College currently facing criminal proceedings.

Former vice-principal David Rapson is due to stand trial at the County Court later this year charged with abusing boys at the school between 1973 and 1990.

Fr Julian Fox was last month charged with offences, including buggery, indecent assault and common law assault, after returning from Rome.

In 1988 he became the Australian head of the Salesians, the second largest Catholic order in the world.

Klep will return to court in July.

Contact: shannon.deery@news.com.au