An Indian Catholic priest is recovering in a hospital in Ireland after an intruder broke into his residence and stabbed him on October 30.

Father Bobit Augusthy was attacked at around 9:30 am at Waterford, in the Republic of Ireland.

Th priests’ residence is in the grounds of Waterford Regional Hospital. Father Augusthy is a chaplain there. He was rushed for treatment and remains in a serious condition.

It is understood that the priest, from India and a member of the Order of St Camillus, was attacked when he came upon the intruder in the home he shares with two other priests.

Local parish priest Father Liam Power, who knows the victim, said: “I was really shocked to hear it.

“The chaplains there are always on call for the sick and it’s just tragic that this should happen.

“We’re praying for his recovery and offering our prayers for his colleagues Fr Russell and Fr John.

“All three of them do really excellent work in the hospital and the chapel there.

“They are on call 24 hours a day and live in that residence on the hospital grounds. There was obviously an intrusion there.

“It’s quite shocking that a priest can be exposed to such danger.”

Last night Irish police said the victim, who is in his 30s, was in a serious but stable condition in hospital.

Anthony Sweeney, 22, from O’Connell Court, Penrose Lane, Waterford City, is charged with assault causing harm to the priest at the cleric’s residence on the grounds of University Hospital Waterford in Ardkeen.

Sweeney “scaled a wall” from the neighboring psychiatric hospital ward and gained access to the nearby chaplains’ house, where three priests live, the special court sitting yesterday heard.

Once inside the house, he allegedly armed himself with a peeling knife from the kitchen and went upstairs.

He met the priest coming from the bathroom who he “stabbed six times” in the face, head and four times in the back, the court heard.

Police officers said the “violent attack” was interrupted by another priest in the house.

He said CCTV showed the man fleeing the house two minutes after the priest was stabbed at 9.16am.

Sweeny was being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

Fr Bobit has been living in Ireland for some time and along with his colleagues Fr Russell and Fr John, works in the hospital and runs the chapel there.

Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Alphonsus Cullinan, said he was “very shocked” by what happened and said he hoped the victim will make a full recovery.

He said he is also praying for the priest’s chaplaincy colleagues “who will be suffering as well”.

source: Irish Mirror

  Catholic Church, ireland