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Who Is Roger Haenke? San Diego Pastor Caught on Camera in Alleged Online Chat with Minors

04 August, 2025 12:15

Roger Haenke, a pastor with St. John’s Episcopal Church in San Diego, is at the center of serious controversy. On Sunday, a group called People v. Preds released a video where they confronted Haenke for allegedly messaging people he thought were 14 and 15-year-old boys on the dating app Grindr.

The group is known for exposing adults who try to contact minors online. Their members pretend to be underage and record confrontations when adults show up or engage in conversations.

On-Camera Confrontation

In the video, Haenke is seen leaving his home with his husband. He is approached by members of People v. Preds, who begin questioning him about the messages. Haenke admits he uses Grindr but refuses to answer how many underage individuals he has spoken to. He appears nervous and tries to walk away. At one point, he smacks the camera and heads back inside his house.

The group tells him they will share the chat logs with his church.

The video has since gone viral, raising questions about Haenke’s role as a religious leader and his future with the church.

Who Is Roger Haenke?

According to St. John’s website, Haenke was born in Hastings, Minnesota and raised in Rugby, North Dakota. He earned a business degree and studied theology at the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity in Minnesota. He was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1991 and served in multiple towns across North Dakota.

Later, he left the Catholic priesthood and switched careers. He became a nurse, working in pediatric care and later as a healthcare administrator in major hospitals in Minnesota and Washington. He also started teaching nursing at San Diego State University part-time.

While living in Seattle, Haenke joined the Episcopal Church. He moved to San Diego in 2008 and became active in church leadership. He was ordained as an Episcopal priest in 2017 and has since worked in several church roles, including:

  • St. John’s, Chula Vista

  • St. Andrew’s, Encinitas

  • Holy Cross, Carlsbad

  • Member of the Episcopal Diocese’s Executive Council

Church Response Awaited

As of now, St. John’s Episcopal Church has not released a formal statement. It is unclear whether law enforcement has opened an investigation into the messages.

The group People v. Preds says they plan to continue exposing predators using online platforms to contact minors. They often post video confrontations and chat logs to social media to raise public awareness.

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