Diocesan Disclosure List​

The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston (ADGH) released its Clergy Disclosure list on January 31, 2019. Rev. Christopher J. Martin is listed, but the information is lacking critical information. His assignments are listed, but there are no dates.

There is no information on when and where the abuse occurred, or when the Archdiocese received the complaint. The information provided by the ADGH includes the names of the parishes to which he was assigned, his year of his birth, year of ordination, and year of death.

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The Archdiocese does include some some interesting information for Rev. Christopher J. Martin showing that he belonged to two dioceses: the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and the Diocese of Victoria. The Diocese of Victoria was established on May 29, 1982 and the Galveston-Houston diocese gave the new diocese Holy Cross Parish, Bay City (where Martin spent 30 years) and its mission, Sacred Heart, Wadsworth. So although Rev. Martin retired in 1972, 10 years later he was incardinated into a brand new diocese. 

The information provided though has some errors because he was not assigned to Assumption Church in Houston.  In reviewing his assignment history and available archival documents, I was able to verify from his Naturalization Records, dated August 22, 1932 - that he was assigned to Assumption Church in Waco, McClennan County that is now a part of the Diocese of Austin.

Nor was he assigned to Blessed Sacrament Church in Houston. He was assigned to Annunciation and Holy Name Churches - both of which show in the Official Catholic Directory that they service the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament school. 

I don't know how the ADGH could make such mistakes - unless it was intentional obfuscation to mislead people. They have his priest assignment records and every priest is required to filled out a Personal Data Form - like this one from the Archdiocese of San Francisco. They know exactly where and when he was assigned. 

After reviewing available archival documents and researching the history of Rev. Christopher J. Martin, I can make an educated guess at when and where he had issues based on the pattern and practices the Church employs when shuffling priests who sexually abuse minors. 

It is important to note that the Archdiocese doesn't include a priest on the list unless a complaint is formally submitted. However, when examining the predators now known, a pattern emerges of their migration through the diocese.  It is likely that the Archdiocese knew about the aberrant behavior of Martin - formal complaint or not. This would explain why Martin was transferred 7 times in the first 10 years of his active ministry, each time to a new county.