Stabbed priest returns to his parish

A welcome update on a story from last week, via Melbourne Catholic in Australia:

Fawkner parish priest, Rev. Tomy Mathew, who was stabbed before celebrating Mass a week ago at St Matthew’s Church, has resumed his priestly duties, and has forgiven his attacker.

Father Mathew was preparing for Mass a week ago, and, while the congregation was singing ahead of the service, he was attacked by a 72 year old man. The priest only discovered he had been stabbed when parishioners saw blood on his vestments as he entered the church for the Mass.

The attack appears to have been racially motivated, with reports that a 72 year old man had visited the parish several times in the last month, demanding to see Father Mathew. When he finally confronted the priest, he allegedly told the priest that, because he was Indian, he must be either Hindu or Muslim, and so should not be celebrating Mass.

As well as forgiving his attacker— who, said Father Mathew, was not mentally well—the parish priest pointed out that there are some 20 million Catholics in India.

‘That’s his ignorance, sadly,’ said Father Mathew.

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Photo: Hamish Blair, Herald Sun