Lawsuit Alleges Sex Abuse by Former Cathedral Principal

KFOX 14
April 6, 2012

http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/news/lawsuit-alleges-sex-abuse-former-cathedral-princip/nMK6P/

According to the El Paso Times, three men have filed separate lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by a former Cathedral High School principal and a priest in Las Cruces.

Two of the lawsuits named as defendants Brother Samuel Martinez, the El Paso Catholic Diocese and the New Orleans-Santa Fe District formerly known as Brothers of the Christian School of Lafayette, La.

One of the lawsuits involving Martinez alleges religious leaders used the Sangre de Cristo Retreat Center in Santa Fe to hide priests who were accused of assaulting or molesting minors instead of reporting them to the authorities.

The other lawsuit involves a defendant only know as Santiago, and the El Paso Catholic Diocese, the Las Cruces Catholic Diocese and Our Lady of Health Parish in Las Cruces.

A plaintiff claims that when he was a minor he was allegedly abused by Santiago at the Holy Cross Retreat Center in Mesilla Park, N.M. that used to be the retreat center for the El Paso Catholic Diocese.

All plaintiffs claimed that they suffer from severe emotional and psychological distress, and they seek compensation for treatment.