Crosier priest removed from ministry

By David Unze
St. Cloud Times
May 10, 2016

http://www.sctimes.com/story/news/local/2016/05/10/crosier-priest-removed-ministry/84188926/

A Crosier priest who has served as an associate pastor or co-pastor in the Diocese of St. Cloud has been suspended from functioning as a priest after the diocese received a report that he sexually abused a minor.

Father Gregory Poser is accused of sexually abusing a minor in the 1970s, when Poser was serving at St. Odilia Church in Shoreview. The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis reported the allegation to the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office, according to the diocese.

Poser was assigned to parishes in Onamia (Holy Cross), Hillman (St. Rita), Wahkon (Sacred Heart) and Vineland (St. Therese) at the time the diocese received the allegation. Bishop Donald Kettler suspended Poser's priestly faculties in the Diocese of St. Cloud, meaning that Poser can no longer function or present himself as a priest, while the allegation is investigated.

The Crosiers have been notified of the allegation; that religious order placed Poser on immediate administrative leave from his current assignments.

Poser was assigned to St. Odilia from 1974 to 1978 and from 1984 to 1985.

There are no reports of alleged sexual misconduct against Poser in the Diocese of Saint Cloud, according to the diocese.

Kettler plans to hold a listening session at the parishes in the Diocese of St. Cloud where Poser served.

The diocese has a web page available with contact information for victim advocates and county officials to whom abuse can be reported. That can be found at http://stcdio.org/about/safe-environment/how-to-report-abuse