Hearing on St. Cloud Priest's Sexual Abuse Charge Pushed Back a Month

By Stephanie Dickrell
St. Cloud Times
April 5, 2018

https://www.sctimes.com/story/news/local/2018/04/05/hearing-st-cloud-priests-sexual-abuse-charge-pushed-back-month/489055002/

Anthony Oelrich.

A preliminary hearing in a criminal sexual conduct case involving a St. Cloud priest has been pushed back more than a month.

The. Rev. Anthony Oelrich was scheduled to have an omnibus hearing Monday, but it has been moved to May 17.

Oelrich, 51, was charged with criminal sexual conduct in the third degree in February. The state statute makes it a crime for a member of clergy to engage in a sexual relationship with someone they are counseling spiritually or religiously.

At an omnibus hearing, a judge rules on the admissibility of evidence for the trial, and responds to arguments relating to violations of the defendant's constitutional rights.

Defense attorney Paul Engh asked the court to delay the hearing. Joshua Kannegieter, an assistant Stearns County attorney, said the hearing was pushed back due to the amount of evidence in the case.

Oelrich is accused of having sexual intercourse with the adult female victim, asking the victim to perform sexual acts on him and exposing himself to the victim. The victim told investigators their encounters often ended with a priestly blessing or a prayer

Oelrich has not yet entered a plea on the charges. Calls to Engh's office were not immediately returned Thursday morning.

Oelrich has worked at the Christ Church Newman Center near St. Cloud State University since 2007 and was previously listed as the director of continuing education for clergy in the St. Cloud Diocese.

After Oelrich's arrest in February, Bishop Donald Kettler removed him as pastor and suspended his priestly faculties. That means Oelrich cannot function or present himself as a priest, pending the outcome of the judicial process.

A church representative said Oelrich is responsible for paying his own legal fees. Oelrich is staying at a residence in St. Cloud owned by the diocese while the judicial process proceeds. The diocese continues to provide for Oelrich's basic needs.

Oelrich is a Milaca native and has served in the diocese since his ordination in 1992. He has served at Sacred Heart Parish in Sauk Rapids and the Cathedral of St. Mary in St. Cloud. He also served in parishes in Holdingford, Opole, St. Anna, St. Wendel, Pearl Lake and Rockville.

To report abuse, contact the St. Cloud Police Department at 320-251-1200. For information on how to contact victim advocates and county officials or to report abuse, visit the diocese's website at stcdio.org/about/safe-environment/how-to-report-abuse.

Contact: sdickrell@stcloudtimes.com