Visiting Canadian Priest Cleared of All Charges

The Diocese of Joliet is grateful that the investigation of criminal charges against Father Carlos Martins, a Canadian priest from the order Companions of the Cross, was taken seriously by the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office and has now been closed. The original charges against Fr. Martins related to a 2024 incident at Queen of Apostles parish in Joliet. In dismissing the case, the Circuit Court of Will County stated, “Fr. Martins has never been charged with a crime, accused of a crime, accused of any allegations of impropriety with minors, nor subject to any form of canonical discipline as a priest.” Fr. Martins is not a priest of the Diocese of Joliet but was visiting the Diocese in 2024 as part of a tour of the relic of St. Jude.

The Diocese holds the safety and protection of our children to be of utmost concern. Child and youth protection resources can be found on our website at https://protect.diojoliet.org/virtus-protecting-gods-children.