ST. CLOUD (MN)
St. Cloud Times [St. Cloud MN]
December 1, 2025
By Corey Schmidt
Charges were filed against a Catholic priest Nov. 26 for actions connected to alleged sexual abuse.
The Rev. Joseph Herzing, 61, a priest in the St. Cloud Diocese, is accused of abusing a woman he provided spiritual guidance to from about May 2018 though October 2022, according to the criminal complaint filed by the Stearns County Attorney’s Office. Stearns County prosecutors say in the criminal complaint alleged sexual acts occurred between December 2021 and October 2022. These alleged actions included kissing and touching the woman in a sexual manner.
During that timeframe, prosecutors allege in the criminal complaint “multiple individuals reported to church leadership that they observed conduct indicative of an inappropriate intimate relationship between the (two individuals).”
Herzing served as a priest at Christ Church Newman Center, St. Anthony Catholic Church and Holy Spirit Catholic Church at that time, according to a statement from the Diocese of St. Cloud. Before that time period, he was at Our Lady of Lourdes in Little Falls, where prosecutors state in the criminal complaint the alleged relationship started.
The victim allegedly told investigators at the St. Cloud Police Department she received spiritual guidance from Herzing, including through the form of confession, the complaint states.
Records referenced in the criminal complaint allegedly state Herzing admitted to kissing the woman, but he denied giving her spiritual guidance.Another Diocese of St. Cloud case: Woman alleges sexual misconduct by Catholic priest in Diocese of St. Cloud: Charges
Allegations of abuse
Herzing allegedly sexually assaulted the woman in December 2021 after the two went to a public event in Minneapolis. After the event, Herzing allegedly took the woman back to his home in St. Cloud where the reported assault took place, according to the complaint.
Abuse reportedly continued in February 2022 when Herzing allegedly choked the woman and threatened to kill her, according to the criminal complaint.
In May 2022, prosecutors wrote that Herzing allegedly said he “wrestled (the woman) to the ground, hit her head against the pavement, pulled her hair and threatened to kill her.”
The alleged relationship between the two continued in August 2022, according to the complaint, as Herzing allegedly threatened to kill both him and the woman by suggesting he drive the motorcycle they were on into a tree.
“(Herzing) had made similar threats while riding a motorcycle with (the woman) in the past, including an incident on July 4, 2022, when (she) had to quickly dismount the motorcycle at a stoplight, resulting in minor scrapes, and walk home,” the complaint reads.
Herzing, who was ordained in 1999 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud, was placed on leave effective immediately on Nov. 26, according to the Diocese of St. Cloud. He worked at the Christ the King in Browerville, St. Joseph in Clarissa, St. Joseph in Grey Eagle, St. Mary of Mount Carmel in Long Prairie and St. John the Baptist in Swanville.
Father Arlie Sowada will take his place for the time being, the Diocese of St. Cloud announced in a statement.
Herzing was placed on administrative leave in October 2022 and completed a residential treatment program, according to the Diocese of St. Cloud. He returned to active ministry in June 2023.
Stearns County prosecutors filed felony charges of stalking, third-degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of threats of violence.
Corey Schmidt covers politics and courts for the St. Cloud Times. He can be reached at cschmidt@gannett.com.