A parishioner in the Diocese of Las Cruces is concerned that his church’s promotion of an active homosexual sends a message to the congregation and to the man himself that homosexuality is morally acceptable.
Fri Oct 2, 2026 - 6:50 pm EDT
HOBBS, New Mexico (LifeSiteNews) — A devout Catholic is voicing his concern that an active homosexual is continuing to serve in his church’s music ministry and has been promoted to an administrative church position despite the bishop and pastor’s knowledge that his lifestyle defies Church teaching.
Leo Martinez, a clerical abuse survivor, told LifeSiteNews he requested a meeting with his local bishop, Peter Baldacchino of the Diocese of Las Cruces, to discuss three matters, one of which was the public ministry of this openly homosexual man. Martinez requested a private meeting, but the bishop insisted that Martinez’s pastor, Father Joseph Pacquing, also attend. Martinez brought his brother as well.
HOBBS, New Mexico (LifeSiteNews) — A devout Catholic is voicing his concern that an active homosexual is continuing to serve in his church’s music ministry and has been promoted to an administrative church position despite the bishop and pastor’s knowledge that his lifestyle defies Church teaching.
Leo Martinez, a clerical abuse survivor, told LifeSiteNews he requested a meeting with his local bishop, Peter Baldacchino of the Diocese of Las Cruces, to discuss three matters, one of which was the public ministry of this openly homosexual man. Martinez requested a private meeting, but the bishop insisted that Martinez’s pastor, Father Joseph Pacquing, also attend. Martinez brought his brother as well.
Martinez said he told Baldacchino during the April 22 meeting that his parish is aware of the music minister’s homosexual relationship and that his position as a music minister has been held “for a long time,” at least 20 years. The pastor, Fr. Pacquing, reportedly told Martinez that the minister does not receive Holy Communion, confirming his awareness of the man’s homosexual lifestyle.
Bishop Baldacchino’s response was to say we must “be merciful,” that they would “investigate and look into it,” and that “we’re all sinners here,” Martinez recalled.
Martinez is concerned that the man holds a position as a music minister because it sends a message to both the congregation and to the minister himself that homosexuality is morally acceptable. While one is not culpable for same-sex attraction, active homosexual behavior is a grave sin according to Catholic Church teaching.
Engaging in such behavior without repentance is an obstacle to salvation. In his first letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul states that homosexual actions are sinful, explaining that “neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor the effeminate, nor liars with mankind” will “inherit the kingdom of God,” but rather, according to his letter to the Romans, those who practice homosexuality will receive “in their own persons the due penalty for their error.”
The homosexual music minister was absent for two to three Sundays after the meeting but was back by June, Martinez told LifeSiteNews. He is unaware of whether the minister was on vacation or was temporarily suspended.
Martinez was later alarmed to discover that not only was this man not removed from music ministry — as of August, he was voted to the pastoral council, which has administrative charge over St. Helena Church.
Speculating as to why this man has been elevated to the position, Martinez pointed out that he has “donated a lot of money to the church” as well as a piano.
LifeSiteNews contacted St. Helena for comment from Fr. Pacquing but had not heard back as of publishing.
Martinez said he originally learned his pastor was aware the music minister lived with another man during the deposition of another priest previously stationed at St. Helena who had committed abuse. An attorney asked Fr. Pacquing at the time, “Do you think it’s a good idea for a man to be in a same sex relationship?” and Fr. Pacquing replied “no.”
Martinez recently discovered that this predator priest purchased a home with another priest in the diocese who had full faculties and brought up this concern during his meeting with Bishop Baldacchino as well.
Asked why he remains a Catholic despite his own history of being abused and continuing abuse scandals, Martinez replied, “The Holy Eucharist.”
“It’s Jesus’ true Church, I’ll always remain there because I know it’s the truth. It’s like Peter said, ‘Where will we go, Lord? There’s nowhere else to go.”
Speculating as to why this man has been elevated to the position, Martinez pointed out that he has “donated a lot of money to the church” as well as a piano.
LifeSiteNews contacted St. Helena for comment from Fr. Pacquing but had not heard back as of publishing.
Martinez said he originally learned his pastor was aware the music minister lived with another man during the deposition of another priest previously stationed at St. Helena who had committed abuse. An attorney asked Fr. Pacquing at the time, “Do you think it’s a good idea for a man to be in a same sex relationship?” and Fr. Pacquing replied “no.”
Martinez recently discovered that this predator priest purchased a home with another priest in the diocese who had full faculties and brought up this concern during his meeting with Bishop Baldacchino as well.
Asked why he remains a Catholic despite his own history of being abused and continuing abuse scandals, Martinez replied, “The Holy Eucharist.”
“It’s Jesus’ true Church, I’ll always remain there because I know it’s the truth. It’s like Peter said, ‘Where will we go, Lord? There’s nowhere else to go.”
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