Father Anthony Oelrich, 51, a priest of the Diocese of St. Cloud, was arrested Feb. 13 following an investigation of alleged sexual misconduct involving an adult woman.
Bishop Donald Kettler has removed Father Oelrich as pastor of Christ Church Newman Center in St. Cloud and suspended his priestly faculties, meaning he cannot function or present himself as a priest, pending the outcome of the judicial process.
In a statement released Feb. 14, the diocese said it is cooperating with civil authorities and encourages all victims of abuse to come forward. Bishop Kettler has appointed Father Robert Rolfes, vicar general of the diocese, to serve as administrator of the Newman Center parish.
Father Oelrich was ordained to the priesthood June 6, 1992 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud. He has served the following assignments: associate pastor, Sacred Heart in Sauk Rapids (1992-1995); co-administrator, St. Mary in Holdingford, St. Hedwig in Holdingford, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Opole, Immaculate Conception in St. Anna, and St. Columbkille in St. Wendel (1995); co-pastor of these same five parishes (1995-2001); graduate studies (2001-2005); director of continuing education for clergy (2005-); pastor, Holy Cross in Pearl Lake (2005-2007); pastor, Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Rockville (2006-2007); pastor, St. Augustine in St. Cloud (2007-2015); rector, St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud (2007-2015); pastor, Christ Church Newman Center in St. Cloud (2007-2018).’
Contact information for victim advocates and county officials to whom abuse can be reported is available online at: http://stcdio.org/about/safe-environment/how-to-report-abuse.