Catholic priests don’t exactly have the best public reputation. There’s a long history of the sexual abuse of children who parents have entrusted to them. So hearing about the weird things that priests have done shouldn’t shock or surprise us. But every once in a while, there are stories that manage to cut through.
This latest one from Father Carlos Martins of Detroit has people scratching their heads in confusion and furrowing their brows in disgust.
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The incident began with a bald joke.
Father Martins, who hosts the The Exorcist Files podcast, was asked to depart from his parish and was removed from his diocese after he allegedly used a girl’s hair as dental floss, Wide Open Country reports. According to reports, Father Martins was visiting the Queen of Apostles in Joliet, Illinois, on November 25, 2024, reported People. During the visit, Martins was making jokes about his bald head. Then he said he would love a bit of hair. All pretty standard, corny older man behavior.
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The priest allegedly grabbed a girl’s hair before harassing her.
Things took a turn for the disturbing though when the priest allegedly grabbed the hair of a 13-year-old girl in front of him. He placed the strand in his mouth and then simulated a flossing motion.
Prosecutors said the action was “insulting and provoking” in nature. To make a bad situation worse, the priest didn’t leave the girl alone afterward. He reportedly sat behind her in the pews and allegedly started growling at her.
He was eventually arrested.
His behavior was so egregious that he was taken into custody and charged with misdemeanor battery. He pleaded guilty and was released on a notice to appear.
He has denied all claims against him. While he has not admitted anything legally, he has “agreed to withdraw from his pastoral ministry.” His attorney Marcella Burke released a statement on his behalf.
His attorney claims his behavior was used to connect to the students.
“The evidence will show that Fr. Carlos did not ‘floss’ with a student’s hair or ‘growl’ among other completely false and repulsive accusations — this is a takedown of a good priest and an attempted shakedown of the Church,” said Burke. “We are confident in the legal process and look forward to our client being fully exonerated.”
Burke claims Father Martins’ interaction with the girl was a joke, meant to build rapport with the students, AOL reported. She said that his decision to withdraw from the ministry should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt. He is due back in court on February 24, 2025.
