AMERICA/CHILE - Convalescent in hospital priest stabbed during the celebration of Mass Calbuco

(Agenzia Fides) – A parish priest, stabbed during Mass on Friday 18 June and operated, is still in hospital convalescing. The priest was stabbed in the neck while distributing Holy Communion at the end of evening Mass in Calbuco, 50 km south west of Puerto Montt. A statement signed by the Archbishop of Puerto Montt, a copy of the statement was sent to Fides, said Fr. José Francisco Nuñez Calisto, parish priest of San Michele Arcangelo de Calbuco received a knife would in the neck while giving Holy Communion to the faithful at the end of Mass on Friday 18 June. The priest, rushed to the local hospital at Calbuco, was operated the same evening and is now convalescing at the Ospedale Base in Puerto Montt. “I wish to thank those who took care of Fr Francisco, especially the medical staff and the hospitals in Calbuco and Puerto Montt, who assisted him so promptly". The Archbishop of Puerto Montt will be called to take part in the trial against the aggressor taken immediately into custody. "We pray for also the aggressor” said the statement which ended with a prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary for all sick persons. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 21/06/2010)