ST. CLOUD (MN)
KNSI-AM [St. Cloud MN]
December 1, 2025
By Jake Judd
A Catholic priest serving five parishes in central Minnesota is being charged in Stearns County District Court after he allegedly had an inappropriate relationship with a woman that turned violent.
According to court documents, the woman told police that Father Joseph Herzing gave her spiritual advice and comfort through confession in 2018 while he was serving as a priest in Little Falls. Between 2018 and 2022, multiple people told church leadership they saw inappropriate intimate conduct between the 61-year-old priest and the woman, including Herzing being at her home late at night and early in the morning. In February 2022, the relationship escalated to violence when he allegedly choked and threatened to kill her. In May 2022, the woman saw a text message that led her to believe Herzing was involved in an intimate relationship with someone else, and she confronted him. Herzing choked her, wrestled her to the ground, pulled her hair and threatened to kill her. In August of 2022, the two got into a physical altercation at an event in Milaca, and on the motorcycle ride home, she says he threatened to ride into a tree and kill them both, and also drove toward an oncoming semi truck before swerving out of its path.
In October 2022, diocesan leadership learned of potentially inappropriate behavior between Herzing and an adult. He was immediately placed on administrative leave by then Bishop Donald Kettler and ordered to undergo a comprehensive professional evaluation. Herzing entered and completed a residential treatment program, and admitted to kissing the woman on two occasions, but denied having a spiritual guidance relationship with her.
Following treatment, Bishop Patrick Neary decided to return Herzing to active ministry in June 2023 with limited responsibilities as a parochial vicar in Cold Spring, Rockville, Richmond, and Jacobs Prairie. In June 2024, Herzing was appointed pastor of five parishes in Browerville, Clarissa, Grey Eagle, Long Prairie, and Swanville.
In August of 2024, St. Cloud police began investigating the reported sexual abuse, and the next month, Bishop Neary learned that a report had been made to police regarding the allegations in 2022 and that an investigation was underway. Despite this, the bishop allowed Herzing to continue serving as pastor under severe restrictions and monitoring.
Bishop Neary was notified of charges of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, stalking and three counts of making threats of violence on Wednesday, November 26th, and immediately placed Herzing on administrative leave. He is prohibited from all public ministry pending the outcome of the criminal case. His next court date is December 29th. Retired diocesan priest Father Arlie Sowada has been named parochial administrator of the affected parishes.
The diocese stated it is cooperating with authorities and encouraged any abuse victims to come forward to either law enforcement or diocesan victim advocates.
“We have a responsibility to protect the safety and dignity of every person,” Bishop Neary said in a statement. “My commitment is to ensure that our response is clear and rooted in care for all those affected. We will continue to cooperate fully with authorities and accompany our communities with honesty and compassion.”
Herzing was ordained to the priesthood on June 5th, 1999, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud and has served in numerous parishes across the diocese throughout his career.
Information for reporting abuse is available by clicking here.