ST. CLOUD (MN)
St. Cloud Times [St. Cloud MN]
October 8, 2025
By Corey Schmidt
A Catholic priest was charged in Stearns County District Court Tuesday, Oct. 7, for alleged sexual abuse of a woman seeking spiritual guidance.
The St. Cloud Police Department began investigating the suspect, Aaron Kuhn, 47, after it received a tip Aug. 1, 2024, according to the criminal complaint. He was the pastor of Mary, Mother of the Church Area Catholic Community at the time.
Bishop Patrick Neary placed Kuhn on full administrative leave, according to a Diocese of St. Cloud statement.
“The diocese is cooperating with authorities and encourages all victims of abuse to come forward,” the statement reads. “Bishop Neary asks that people keep everyone affected by this situation in prayer.”
Kuhn’s administrative leave and criminal charges come after investigators talked with the woman, who alleged that she and the suspect had sexual relations multiple times. The alleged incidents took place between November 2019 and October 2022 when Kuhn reportedly provided her spiritual direction, according to the complaint. The woman also alleged Kuhn used his position to pressure her into sexual acts.
“She reported that the abuse escalated over time, and that she repeatedly asked the defendant to stop,” Assistant Stearns County Attorney Jamie Reinschmidt wrote in the complaint.
Kuhn has an address in Wadena, according to the complaint. Prosecutors allege the purported sexual abuse took place at multiple locations in Wadena, Stearns and Benton counties.
“Law enforcement interviewed multiple witnesses affiliated with the church,” Reinschmidt wrote in the complaint. “These individuals confirmed that the defendant acknowledged having sexual contact with (the woman).”
The St. Cloud Police Department took documents about Kuhn from the Diocese of St. Cloud chancery on Jan. 10, according to a search warrant inventory.
Kuhn placed on administrative leave in 2024
The Diocese of St. Cloud placed Kuhn on administrative leave in June 2024, according to a letter from Bishop Patrick Neary.
“Regrettably, I have placed your pastor, Fr. Aaron Kuhn, on administrative leave after receiving an allegation of sexual misconduct involving an adult,” Neary wrote in the letter dated June 29, 2024.
About a month later, on July 30, 2024, Neary wrote to parishioners, saying Kuhn completed a professional assessment program and will start a residential treatment program. Kuhn completed his residential treatment program on Dec. 18, 2024, according to another letter.
A St. Cloud Police Department search warrant affidavit states Kuhn attended treatment stay at the St. John Viannay Center in Downingtown, Pennsylvania.
Neary was informed about the criminal probe on Kuhn’s alleged actions in October 2024, according to the Diocese of St. Cloud statement.
Kuhn reportedly resigned as pastor and was assigned to the diocese’s Tribunal and Office of Canonical Affairs in St. Cloud, according to Neary’s Dec. 5, 2024 letter, which is the most recent communication regarding Kuhn’s administrative leave.
Kuhn was ordained into priesthood on June 16, 2007 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in downtown St. Cloud.
A summons was filed Oct. 7. Kuhn is not in custody. He is charged with third-degree sexual conduct as a member of clergy with another person, which, if convicted, could carry up to 15 years in prison and/or a $30,000 fine.
Corey Schmidt covers politics and courts for the St. Cloud Times. He can be reached at cschmidt@gannett.com.