Catholic Priest Charged with Stalking, Criminal Sexual Conduct, and Violence
A disturbing case of abuse of power has come to light in the St. Cloud area, where a Catholic priest has been charged with stalking, criminal sexual conduct, and violence against a woman he was spiritually advising. This is the second such incident in the past two months, raising concerns about the pattern of priest misconduct in the region.
Joseph Paul Herzing, 61, of Milaca, has been charged with one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of stalking, and three counts of threats of violence. The abuse occurred between May 2018 and October 2022, according to the criminal complaint. Herzing served as a priest in Little Falls and St. Cloud during this time and was ordained at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud in 1999.
Investigation and Charges
The Stearns County Attorney’s Office filed charges against Herzing after a woman reported that she had received spiritual advice, aid, and comfort from him while in Little Falls in 2018. Herzing then moved to a church in St. Cloud and began regularly advising the victim there through October 2022. Church leadership received multiple reports of “conduct indicative of an inappropriate intimate relationship” between Herzing and the woman, including the priest being at her residence late at night and early in the morning.
When diocesan leadership became aware of the situation in 2022, there was no indication of physical or sexual misconduct, according to St. Cloud Bishop Patrick Neary. However, Herzing was placed on administrative leave and underwent a comprehensive professional evaluation. He entered and completed a residential treatment program for “exhibiting inappropriate boundaries” with the woman.
Pattern of Abuse
Herzing and the woman had multiple violent interactions in 2022, including several death threats. In February 2022, Herzing assaulted the victim, including choking and threatening to kill her, in a residence in St. Cloud. Later, in May 2022, she walked from her St. Cloud residence to a river while having suicidal thoughts. After convincing her to return home, Herzing said he should have “just let (the woman) kill herself.” He later physically assaulted her after she saw Herzing receive a text she believed was from someone he was in an intimate relationship with.
Investigators used witness statements, texts, and police reports to corroborate the woman’s statement. Reports showed that Herzing “admitted to kissing (the victim) on two occasions but denied having a spiritual guidance with her.” Herzing is scheduled to make his first appearance in Stearns County District Court on December 29.
Previous Incident
In October, another Catholic priest with the St. Cloud diocese was accused of sexual misconduct with a woman while being her spiritual adviser. Aaron John Kuhn, 47, of Wadena, was charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct in Stearns County court. A woman told law enforcement she had sexual contact with Kuhn between September 2019 and October 2022 while he was providing her “with spiritual direction.”
According to court records, Kuhn is scheduled to appear in court on January 15. The St. Cloud diocese has faced criticism for its handling of priest misconduct cases, and Bishop Neary has encouraged all victims of abuse to come forward to civil authorities or diocesan victim advocates.
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