A Catholic Priest was stabbed this morning during daily Mass in Montreal, Canada.
The 26-year-old unidentified man was held by security and now is in police custody. He’s said to be known to the police.
The priest, Father Claude Grou, who is 77-year-old, was taken to the hospital and is said to be in stable condition.
Here’s more via NBC News:
A 26-year-old man has been arrested after a priest in Montreal was stabbed on Friday during a livestreamed morning mass in Canada’s largest church.
Father Claude Grou, 77, the rector of the Saint Joseph’s Oratory, was taken to the hospital and is said to be stable condition, according to the Archdiocese of Montreal.
Authorities responded to call around 8:40 a.m. and witnesses said a man went toward the priest with a sharp object during the daily mass where 50 people were in attendance.
The attack was captured on a livestream and television broadcast by the Catholic channel Salt + Light, which publishes the streams shortly after the mass. Authorities have not disclosed whether the footage will be released.
When police arrived the suspect was already detained by church security and the priest was slightly injured on his upper body, Montreal police spokesperson Caroline Chèvrefils said.
The suspect was then taken into custody, transported to a detention center and will be interviewed by investigators later today, she said.
I double checked and the footage has not been released yet.
In the photo at the very top, I believe that’s Father Claude Grou on the left. Here’s another photo of him I found on Twitter:
#BREAKING: Father Claude Grou (77) was stabbed this morning at St. Joseph's Oratory in Montréal, Canada while conducting morning televised mass by a 26-year-old un-identified male. Rector hospitalized and the knife attacker apprehended and is known by police. #CVE pic.twitter.com/WIdsI017nn
— Parthiban Shanmugam (@hollywoodcurry) March 22, 2019
It’s stunning that this could even happen at all, no less during a sacred communion service. We don’t know anything yet about the suspect, but as soon as I do I’ll bring you what I know.
Until then, pray for Father Grou that he will make a speedy recovery with no lasting effects from this attack.