Affidavit Alleges Sexual Abuse in Catholic Schools, KFOX, May 2, 2008

Affidavit Alleges Sexual Abuse in Catholic Schools

KFOX
May 2, 2008

http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/16143470/detail.html

[with video]

EL PASO, Texas — The affidavit, from the David Renteria case, explained a plaintiff, identified as "John Doe 1," accused Brother Samuel F. Martinez of sexually abusing him between 1983 and 1985, while Martinez was principal of Cathedral High School.

This would have been during the time frame when Renteria attended Cathedral.

The document explained, "Br. Sam Martinez sexually abused and exploited John Doe 1, including the showing to plaintiff of pornographic videos. Plaintiff alleges on information and belief that other students were also sexually abused and exploited by Br. Sam Martinez."

In the plaintiff's original petition, filed in 2004, the former student alleged under oath, "Br. Sam Martinez sexually abused and exploited John Doe 1, including the showing to plaintiff of pornographic videos. Plaintiff alleges on information and belief that other students were also sexually abused and exploited by Br. Sam Martinez."

The plaintiff also alleged that "The sexual abuse inflicted on him by Br. Sam Martinez was extensive, disturbing, and was associated with the use of pornographic videos which depicted sexual abuse of young girls by older men including the depiction of physically painful episodes of the abuse of minor girls."

A history of El Paso priests sexually abusing children is included in a recent book written by Dr. Leon Podles, Sacrilege: Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church.

One title of the book is called, "The Rectory Boys of El Paso."

Podles said, "It was one of the oldest, best documented in some ways, one of the worst abuse cases I came across."

Podles' chapter on El Paso focused on a group of pedophile priests who abused young parishioners during the '50s and '60s and a local bishop looked away.

Podles said, "Abusive priests were around for decades more, as the affidavit alleges."

Renteria's attorneys said they do not allege Renteria was sexually abused while he attended local Catholic schools or even knew about it.

Authorities said the lawsuit against the former Cathedral principal, Br. Sam Martinez, was settled out of court.