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A Catholic priest in central Minnesota is charged with sexually abusing, physically assaulting and threatening a woman to whom he had given spiritual guidance.

Joseph Herzing, 61, has served as a priest in several central Minnesota communities, including St. Cloud and Little Falls. He was charged last week in Stearns County District Court with third-degree criminal sexual conduct, stalking and three counts of threatening violence. 

Court documents say St. Cloud police began investigating a report of sexual abuse in August 2024. A woman told police she received spiritual guidance from Herzing over a four-year period beginning in the fall of 2018, first in Little Falls, then in St. Cloud after Herzing moved there.

According to the criminal complaint, multiple people told church leaders they observed conduct that indicated an inappropriate intimate relationship between Herzing and the woman, including Herzing allegedly being at the woman’s residence late at night and early in the morning.

The complaint alleges that in February 2022, Herzing physically assaulted the woman, choking her and threatening to kill her. A few months later, the woman was upset, expressed suicidal thoughts and walked to a nearby river. Herzing convinced her to return home and said he should “just let (the woman) kill herself.”

Later, the woman saw Herzing receive a text message from a person she suspected he was having a relationship with. When she confronted him, Herzing choked her, wrestled her to the ground, pulled her hair and threatened to kill her, the complaint alleges.

In August 2022, Herzing took the woman on his motorcycle to a public event in Milaca, where they got into a physical altercation, the complaint states. 

On the way home, Herzing threatened to kill the woman and himself by driving into a tree, the complaint alleges. He drove into oncoming traffic toward a semi-truck, then swerved back in time to avoid a collision, it alleges.

, the St. Cloud diocese said Bishop Patrick Neary immediately placed Herzing on administrative leave on Nov. 26 after learning of the charges and prohibited him from all public ministry “pending the outcome of the judicial process.”

However, diocesan leaders were told of concerns raised about Herzing three years before the criminal charges were filed.

In October 2022, the diocese was made aware of “potential inappropriate behavior” between Herzing and an adult, the diocese stated. At the time, there was “no indication of physical or sexual misconduct,” the diocese stated. 

Then-Bishop Donald Kettler met with Herzing and placed him on administrative leave to undergo a professional evaluation. Herzing then completed a residential treatment program, the diocese stated.

Neary took over as bishop in February 2023. After getting input from diocesan leaders and legal counsel, Neary decided to return Herzing to active ministry in Cold Spring, Rockville, Richmond and Jacobs Prairie, with restrictions and monitoring in place.

In June 2024, Herzing was appointed pastor of Christ the King in Browerville, St. Joseph’s in Clarissa, St. Joseph’s in Grey Eagle, St. Mary’s of Mount Carmel in Long Prairie and St. John the Baptist in Swanville.

Herzing was charged via summons. His first court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 29. Prosecutors have filed notice that they intend to seek an upward departure from sentencing guidelines.

The diocese said Neary “remains committed to transparency, accountability and the protection of all involved.”

“We have a responsibility to protect the safety and dignity of every person,” Neary stated. He said the diocese will “continue to cooperate fully with authorities,” and he encouraged all victims of abuse to come forward.

Court records do not list an attorney representing Herzing. Efforts to reach him by phone and email were unsuccessful.

Herzing is the third priest in the St. Cloud diocese to face criminal charges recently for allegedly abusing a woman he was counseling.

Last month, Stearns County prosecutors charged Aaron Kuhn of Wadena with third-degree criminal sexual conduct, alleging he 

 as a spiritual advisor to manipulate a woman and pressure her into sex.

 in the St. Cloud diocese, was released from prison in 2022 after serving more than two years for sexual misconduct with an adult parishioner. He was dismissed from the priesthood.

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Kirsti Marohn

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St. Cloud diocese leaders were told of concerns raised about Joseph Herzing three years ago. After completing treatment, Herzing was allowed to return to active ministry, where he continued to serve until criminal charges were filed last week.

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Central Minnesota priest accused of sexually abusing, stalking, threatening woman

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