Gerald Ridsdale charged with sex crimes

Former Catholic priest Gerald Ridsdale will face court over dozens of fresh historical sexual abuse offences.

Police say an 82-year-old man has been charged with more than 36 offences including rape, buggery and indecent and common assault.

It's alleged the offences occurred at various locations in the western region of Victoria from the 1960s to the 1980s.

Ridsdale was charged by the Sano Taskforce, which was set up to investigate historical and new allegations of child sex abuse involving religious and non-government organisations.

He is listed to appear in the Melbourne Magistrate's Court on January 20.