A Priest and three other people were subjected to a horrifying attack by a man wielding a chalice just after Mass on Sunday.
Father Pat McManus from St. Gabriel’s Church in Clontarf, Dublin, told how the unprovoked attack left him and the church sacristan hospitalized.
The parish priest, who suffered two wounds to his head, said that he had no idea why the attacker carried out the assaults.
He said at his home on Monday, “It happened when I was saying a few prayers after the 9 a.m. Mass in the church. I saw a man walk up onto the altar. He went to the tabernacle and took out the ciboriums. I went up and asked him what he was doing and that’s when he hit me with them.
“I ran away through the church. I was shocked at what happened.”
The priest said the attacker seemed to be aged in his fifties and that he “may have been deranged.”
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The attacker also assaulted the sacristan Michael Dillon. He used the ciboriums, metal bowls used to contain the Eucharist, as weapons. He inflicted a serious eye injury on the sacristan.
The man then made a second attempt to attack McManus when the priest was forced to flee the church. The priest managed to close a door with glass panels in the church behind him, His attacker smashed the glass panel while wielding the ciboriums.
Astonishingly, the drama was captured live on the church’s webcam as part of the parish’s new Internet broadcasting service.
A parishioner watching at the time immediately called the Gardai (police). In addition, several people in the church were also phoning the Gardai on their cellphones.
Masses are streamed on the Internet, and former parishioners as far away as Canada have been able to watch religious services.
McManus said, “I’m just relieved that Michael appears to be okay now. He was sitting up in bed in hospital.”
The priest shrugged off his own injuries and made light of the two scars on the side of his head. “I’m okay. I’ve got a hard head,” he said.
Although four people were injured, only the priest and the sacristan required hospital treatment.
Local parishioner Andy Jackson ,79, said, “Everyone is very shocked by what happened. Father Pat is one of the best. Everybody loves him. He’s a gentleman. We heard the sacristan got the worst of it. We just hope they get better soon.”
Among the messages of support the priest received was a goodwill message from local Church of Ireland minister Robert Deane.
The man was later arrested by Gardai who refused to give details about the incident.
11 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.snakehips | Jul 01, 2011, 02:58 PM EDT
People are so focused on the sexual scandals within the Church, as they believe the attacker was seeking revenge or acting out his hostility rgarding the same. #1 Maybe he was just a "NUT" or #2 Maybe you all have to get rid of your sexual fixations. Try to focus on something else to improve your mental health
eiriamach | Jul 01, 2011, 07:35 AM EDT
As jacers has already said, mamaginnty is probably right. There are still many people who are extremely angry about the sexual abuse revelations and the inaction of the hierarchy. A serious reform program in the Church, really soon, might channel some of that smoldering anger into constructive action.
Toonagh | Jul 01, 2011, 05:50 AM EDT
This is what ireland has become! soooo sad
lokionline | Jun 30, 2011, 06:04 PM EDT
What a sad story for all concerned. No-one deserves to be a victim of violence and no-one no matter how angry or damaged they might be, has the right to hurt others like that. As many a mother has likely said "use your words!!!" even then keep a moderate tone.
jacersagain | Jun 30, 2011, 04:32 PM EDT
My late wife was brought up in St. Gabriel’s Parish and I treasure that parish for that alone. She would have been hugely disturbed about this incident. Speedy recovery to all injured and thanks be to God that no one was killed by the smack of a ciborium. Mamaginnty is probably right – perhaps ‘twas a disturbed (now adult) child throwing back abuse. May he find peace and the sense of forgiveness... May I be forgiven for being slightly flippant but St. (Angel?) Gabriel had better be sharper on his watch in future and sharpen his sword against future attacks on the servants of His and our God.
wilhoef | Jun 30, 2011, 03:35 PM EDT
I was married in St. Gabriels fifty seven years ago. A beautiful church.
CaptainCon | Jun 30, 2011, 03:31 PM EDT
Maybe the angelus finally got to him. 'I'll give you bongs' he probably thought.
cillowen | Jun 30, 2011, 12:17 PM EDT
the irish hate being told the same old jewish fairy tales
mamaginnty | Jun 30, 2011, 12:10 PM EDT
More likely one of the children, need I go on.
katieherk | Jun 30, 2011, 11:59 AM EDT
Maybe someone who has been reading all the gay/sex junk on Irish Central and it blew his mind!!
maloney | Jun 30, 2011, 09:47 AM EDT
Deranged or just a proddy.