By CNA Staff
CNA Staff, Nov 24, 2024 / 15:25 pm
An attorney for the popular podcaster and exorcist Father Carlos Martins says the priest did nothing improper during a parish event in Illinois last week and that initial news reports about an ongoing police investigation into his conduct were incorrect and damaging to his reputation.
Martins simply touched a girl’s hair in front of more than 200 other students while making a joke about his own baldness, attorney Marcella Burke said in a statement released to CNA.
The Nov. 21 meeting with students took place “in a classroom setting with teachers, clergy, parish staff, and volunteers present” at St. Paul Catholic Church in Joliet, Illinois, she said.
Martins, a priest of the Companions of the Cross order known for hosting the “Exorcist Files” podcast, was visiting the area as part of his national touring exhibit of a relic of the arm of St. Jude the Apostle.
“As he always does, Fr. Martins began his interaction with the attendees in ‘chit-chat’ dialogue. He is bald and apt to joke about it as a conversation starter,” Burke said in the statement.
“During his conversation with the older students, he made a comment to a student about her long hair, remarking, ‘You and I have almost the same hair style,’ a comment met with giggles. He then remarked that he also once had long hair like hers, and he joked he would ‘floss my teeth with it.’ Again, his comment was meant for a teenage audience and was met with laughter.
“He then asked the student, ‘Have you ever flossed with your hair?’” the statement continued. “Laughing, she shook her head, no. He then said, ‘Well, you have the perfect length for it,’ as he lifted up a lock from her shoulders to show her its length.
Welcome to our blog post where we delve into a recent incident involving a well-respected priest, Fr. Carlos Martins, that has sparked controversy and raised questions about the nature of the allegations against him.
It all started innocently enough, with a group of students excitedly attending an event at their parish, giggling and enjoying themselves. However, when one of the girls returned home and shared what happened with her father, things took a dramatic turn. Her father, upset by what he heard, called the police and reported the incident, leading to a police investigation.
The initial news reports about the investigation painted a misleading picture, suggesting that the allegations against Fr. Martins involved sexual misconduct. However, a closer look reveals a different story. Fr. Martins, a priest with a spotless record and a strong reputation within the Catholic Church, has never been involved in any scandal or impropriety during his 15 years of service.
The statement released by Fr. Martins’ spokesperson, Burke, sheds light on the situation, clarifying that no new evidence has emerged to implicate Fr. Martins of any wrongdoing. Despite the ongoing police investigation, no charges have been filed against him.
In response to the incident, the parish decided to cancel the relic visit that was scheduled, following their protocol to ensure the safety and well-being of their community. The priests at the parish, Father Michael Lane and Father Gregory Alberts, emphasized their commitment to cooperating with the police investigation and addressing the situation with transparency and accountability.
As the investigation continues, we hope for a swift resolution that will bring clarity and closure to this challenging situation. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as we navigate through the complexities and nuances of this case.
Source link
