Wednesday, December 31, 2025

A Catholic priest who was serving five parishes in central Minnesota appeared in court Monday on charges related to a woman he allegedly abused while providing her spiritual counseling and could face more charges for a second victim. Father Joseph Paul Herzing faces one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of stalking, and three counts of threats of violence related to a woman he counseled between 2018 and 2022. Court documents say multiple witnesses reported seeing Herzing at the woman’s home late at night and early in the morning. In February 2022, he choked her and threatened to kill her. Three months later, after she confronted him about another relationship, he choked her again, wrestled her to the ground, pulled her hair, and threatened to kill her. Then in August 2022, during a motorcycle ride, he threatened to crash into a tree and swerved toward an oncoming semi truck. In October 2022, church leaders learned of potentially inappropriate behavior with an adult. Herzing was immediately placed on leave, sent for professional evaluation, and required to complete a residential treatment program. He admitted to kissing the woman twice but denied having a counseling relationship with her. In June 2023, Bishop Patrick Neary allowed Herzing to return to work with limited responsibilities at four parishes in Cold Spring, Rockville, Richmond, and Jacobs Prairie. By June 2024, Herzing was promoted to pastor of five parishes in Browerville, Clarissa, Grey Eagle, Long Prairie, and Swanville. Two months later, St. Cloud police began investigating the 2022 abuse allegations. In September 2024, Bishop Neary learned about the police investigation but allowed Herzing to continue as pastor with restrictions and monitoring. When charges were filed on November 26, 2024, Herzing was again placed on leave. On December 3rd, prosecutors filed a notice of evidence of additional offenses to be offered at trial. According to Assistant County Attorney Jamie Reinschmidt, Herzing carried on a sexual relationship with a second woman while counseling her between 2014 and 2018. Prosecutors say while reviewing records seized from the Diocese of St. Cloud regarding the first case, they discovered evidence showing Herzing had sex with the second woman on multiple occasions in Stearns and Hennepin counties. Herzing has not been charged with crimes related to the second victim, but prosecutors plan to add an additional count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct if the case goes to trial, which would bring the total felony charges to six. Because of the allegations involving multiple victims and multiple forms of abuse, prosecutors are seeking an aggravated sentence, which means Herzing could face more time behind bars than typically given for these charges if he’s convicted. His defense team received over 800 pages of evidence to review. The next hearing date hasn’t been set yet, but it will be an omnibus hearing where lawyers argue about what evidence can be used at trial. Herzing can also enter a plea at that time. He is currently banned from all public ministry. Herzing appeared in court via Zoom with his attorney, Paul Engh. He will remain free without bail as long as he stays in contact with his lawyer and attends all court hearings. Bishop Neary said in a statement: “We have a responsibility to protect the safety and dignity of every person. My commitment is to ensure that our response is clear and rooted in care for all those affected.” The diocese says it’s cooperating with authorities and encourages any abuse victims to contact law enforcement or diocesan victim advocates. Retired priest Father Arlie Sowada is now serving the five parishes formerly led by Herzing. Herzing was ordained in 1999 and has served in numerous parishes across the St. Cloud diocese throughout his 25-year career.