Fr. Francis F. Hoefgen

“Fran.” Accused in a 1992 lawsuit of sexually abusing of a 16-year-old boy in 1982. The boy was living with Hoefgen as a foster son. Hoefgen knew the boy was suicidal when he invited him to move into his home. He admitted sexual encounters to the Church in 1984 after which he was sent for treatment; after six months he was assigned to a new parish. The suit was dismissed in 11/1993 due to the statute of limitations. An apology by Hoefgen was printed in the newspaper in 9/2002 as part of a group settlement involving several living at St. John’s Abbey. Hoefgen was permanently removed in 2002 and laicized in 12/2011. Another lawsuit was filed 11/18/2013. Included in 12/2013 on the St. Paul and Minneapolis archdiocese’s list of credibly accused. His St. Paul-Minneapolis personnel file was released 05/19/2014. Hoefgen was arrested 05/21/2014 and charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct against a boy in 4th-6th grades, occurring 1989-1991. He leaded not guilty 9/5/2014. Trial was set for 5/2015. Acquitted. Files released in 11/2015 show a pattern of predation toward boys, beginning in the 1980s and continuing for two decades.