Montreal priest stabbed at mass

MONTREAL— A Catholic priest was stabbed in front of dozens of stunned worshippers as he was celebrating mass Friday morning at Montreal’s St. Joseph’s Oratory.

A 26-year-old man is in custody and was being questioned Friday afternoon by police. They said he will appear in court Saturday to face charges that have yet to be determined, but which could range from assault with a weapon to attempted murder.

Montreal police spokesperson Caroline Chevrefils said there is nothing to suggest the attack was linked to any political, religious or extremist group. “Today’s event is an isolated act committed by one individual,” the police wrote on their official Twitter account Friday afternoon.

The incident began shortly after 8:30 a.m. when a man with a knife rushed the sanctuary of the landmark church and stabbed 77-year-old Rev. Claude Grou, the oratory’s rector.

Philip Barrett, who was sitting near the front of the church, said he saw a tall man rise from a pew and quickly walk into the sanctuary as Grou was preparing to proclaim the gospel.

“He walked over behind the altar and he seemed to strike the priest’s body,” Barrett said. “I think the priest fell down at that time. I do remember the priest was moving away from the man, but it happened so quickly there was almost no time to react.”