A Washington State priest, who was attacked during a church service focused on healing—an incident captured on a live stream—said he had never seen his assailant before and did not know him.
Rev. David Gaines of Our Lady of Lourdes, Spokane, Washington said that people had brought the alleged attacker to the service because they believed he would “find healing from whatever his struggles are.”
A Spokane Police Department spokesperson said that worshippers restrained the 40-year-old until the authorities arrived.
According to the spokesperson, he was arrested for misdemeanor battery and is currently being held due to outstanding warrants.
The priest said he suffered minor injuries.
A police spokesman said that it was not known what caused the attack. It happened at 6:20 pm on Tuesday, during what Gaines called a “Novena”, a service where churchgoers pray over nine days for healing.
Gaines was kneeling in front of the bishop after he had given him his prayer card. Then, he said that he noticed a man running towards the church sanctuary.
Gaines stated, “We made eye contact right at that time.” “He seemed very angry and intense.”
A video of the attack shows the man, wearing shorts and a sweatshirt, striking Gaines.
Gaines told the man to calm down.
“I don’t know where he hit me, and I blocked that out, but his left hand was punching at me a bunch of times, and I kept swiping at it with my hand,” Gaines said.
Several parishioners rush to the sanctuary before a guard helps him leave.
Gaines stated, “It was not what I expected as a priest.” “God permits these kinds of things to occur, and we then want to figure out how to use it for some good. “
Gaines added that he has a tender place in his heart for the man, whom he said “clearly needs healing.”
