Washington priest attacked by disturbed gentleman as prayer service collapsed into chaos

A Catholic priest was attacked by a “disturbed gentleman” during a prayer service in Washington state as the peaceful ceremony collapsed into chaos on Tuesday.Father David Gaines, the parochial vicar at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lordes in Spokane, Wash.was praying alongside Bishop Thomas Daly when the man launched his attack.The assault occurred during the church’s second night The Lourdes Novena for Healing, a series of nine days of prayers for healing culminating with the Feast of the Lady of Lourdes, the patron saint of healing, peace, and the sick.Footage of the church’s live stream captured the suspect jumping out of his seat in the first row pew and running towards the altar where the celebrants were kneeling.Gaines stood up as the man reached him and absorbed a punch to the face.The attacker, who was not identified, fell to the ground as Gaines jumped on top of him tsubdue the man.The two wrestled for several seconds before church staff and other worshippers rushed to the aid of the priest.One of the microphones picked up a witness telling the attacker to “calm down.”“It’s ok buddy, it’s alright, it’s ok,” the voice added.Rector Father Darrin Connall – who had been leading the prayer when the attack happened – called for security as the man’s unintelligible yells echoed throughout the cathedral.The man was handcuffed and led out of the cathedral by several men in attendance as Connall to his position where he resumed the service with a prayer for “that disturbed gentleman.”At the end of the service, Connall thanked those who “stormed the sanctuary” to help the priests.He also notified the congregants that the man was arrested and charged with assault and trespassing.Gaines didn’t sustain any injuries to the attack and no one else was injured.“Fr.

Gaines and Bishop Daly are both doing well.Thank you for all of your concerns and thank you for joining us again for this evening’s Novena,” the church wrote on Face...