Follow-Up on Father Carlos Martins Accusation: Looks Like Much Ado About Nothing

Following up on what we posted yesterday, here is more about the story concerning Father Carlos Martins.

Through attorneys, who wrote in the context of a cease and desist letter to the news outlet, The Pillar, Father Martins has given his account of the “incident” that provoked what appears to be a gross overreaction. According to Father Martins attorneys, during a “chit chat” with the faithful who came to venerate the relic of Saint Jude he has been touring with, some parochial school students were present, and,

During his conversation with the older students, he made a comment to a student about herlong 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 myteeth with it.” Again, his comment was met with laughter. He then asked the student, “Haveyou ever flossed with your hair?” 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.

She giggled along with the others. He was building rapport. The student came home and told her father the story. He, apparently, became infuriated by what he heard, calling the police. The police arrived at the parish during the event and, after questioning the students, left without making any arrests or filing charges. It was only after the outraged father called the police a second time, insisting that they charge Fr. Martins with battery, that the police agreed to further investigate. There is no indication that there is any new evidence that would further implicate my client of any wrongdoing. To date, no charges have been filed.

Father Martins is bald. Hence the giggles. Say what you will of the prudence or advisability of his interaction with the student, this is a far cry from what most people will walk away with having read The Pillar’s coverage. Most people will assume something much darker.

Here is Father Martins’ attorney’s letter, which can be read in full and downloaded from Scribd:

There is updated coverage of this story on several sites, including The Pillar, which has not retracted its original article, but did post another piece that was, in part, an apologia for why they ran their initial, very incomplete, story. Here are some of the more recent articles:

One last thing. I think Bree Dail makes some good points about the journalistic ethics (or lack thereof) that are operative here. If you see this posting on X, you will find more of her comments in the thread beneath it. I certainly do not always agree with Bree Dail, but she seems to hold herself to a high standard of vetting before reporting on a story, and she’s faulting The Pillar for not doing the same.

Filed Under: Columns, News