US EditionAnother St. Cloud Priest Charged with Abuse While Serving as a ‘Spiritual Adviser’
Joseph Paul Herzing faces multiple charges including stalking and third-degree criminal sexual conduct related to abuse and intimidation of a woman he spiritually advised from 2018 to 2022.
- The Stearns County Attorney's Office charged Joseph Paul Herzing, 61, St. Cloud–area Catholic priest, on Nov. 27 with criminal sexual conduct, stalking, and threats for abuse from May 2018 to October 2022.
- The investigation began in November 2025 after the woman reported receiving spiritual guidance from Herzing, and church leadership received multiple reports of an inappropriate relationship.
- Witnesses and messages corroborate episodes of sexual and threatening conduct, including a February 2022 choking incident and an August motorcycle threat, according to court documents.
- The diocese said it put Herzing on leave immediately after charges, and Bishop Patrick Neary had returned him to limited ministry in June 2023 while monitoring continued, urging victims to come forward.
- This development follows another diocesan charge in October as Aaron John Kuhn was charged for alleged sexual contact and is scheduled for Stearns County court on Jan. 15, 2026.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Duluth News Tribune
Another St. Cloud priest charged with abuse while serving as a ‘spiritual adviser’
ST. CLOUD — A St. Cloud-area Catholic priest has been charged with stalking, criminal sexual conduct and violence against a woman he was spiritually advising. Joseph Paul Herzing, 61, of Milaca, was charged Wednesday, Nov. 26, by the Stearns County Attorney’s Office. He faces one count each of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and stalking, and three counts of threats of violence in connection with the abuse and intimidation. According to the…
Central Minnesota priest accused of sexually abusing, stalking, threatening woman
St. Cloud diocese leaders were told of concerns raised about Joseph Herzing three years ago. After completing treatment, Herzing was allowed to return to active ministry, where he continued to serve until criminal charges were filed last week.
ussanews.com
CatholicVote orgMinnesota diocese issues statement after priest charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct, violence
The Diocese of St. Cloud, Minnesota, has placed a priest on immediate leave and prohibited him from all public ministry after he was charged in Stearns County with one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of stalking, and three counts of threats of violence toward one adult, according to a statement issued Nov....
Another St. Cloud priest charged with abuse while serving as a "spirtual adviser"
ST. CLOUD — A Catholic priest has been charged with stalking, criminal sexual conduct and violence against a woman that he was spiritually advising. This is the second St. Cloud area priest accused of inappropriate conduct in the past two months. The Stearns County Attorney's Office filed charges on Wednesday, Nov. 26, against Joseph Paul Herzing, 61, of Milaca, for one count each of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and stalking, and three c…
Central Minnesota Catholic Priest Charged with Criminal Sexual Conduct, Stalking After Alleged Violent Relationship with Woman
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 leaders
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