St. Cloud Priest’s Prison Sentence Ends Next Week

(KNSI) — A St. Cloud priest sentenced to prison for sexually abusing a woman he was counseling will be set free next week.

Father Anthony Oelrich is scheduled to be released from the Lino Lakes prison on Monday. He admitted initiating a sexual relationship with a woman who went to him for spiritual guidance.

Oelrich was arrested in 2018 and charged with sexual assault. He pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. Oelrich was sentenced to three years and five months in prison in July 2020. Minnesota law requires a person to serve two-thirds of their sentence in prison and the other third on supervised release.

KNSI News reached out to the Diocese of St. Cloud to find out what would happen to the priest after his release. Bishop Donald Kettler released the following statement.

“As Father Oelrich’s prison sentence comes to an end, I again apologize to the victim(s)/survivor(s) and all those who have been hurt by his actions. I am committed to fostering healing for those who have been wounded and doing all I can to end clergy abuse. I continue to consider Father Oelrich’s future ministry status, which includes a judicial process required by Church law. This process continues to move forward. In the meantime, his priestly faculties remain suspended, meaning he cannot function or present himself as a priest, such as by celebrating public Masses, administering the sacraments, and wearing the Roman collar. Until his ministry status is finalized, he continues to receive his priest salary as required under Church law, but he is responsible for his own housing and other expenses.”

Oelrich was the Preist of the Christ Church Newman Center in St. Cloud when he was arrested. Oelrich has also served at Sacred Heart Parish in Sauk Rapids, the Cathedral of St. Mary in St. Cloud, and served the parishes in Holdingford, Opole, Saint Ana, Saint Wendel, Pearl Lake, and Rockville.

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