Attack on military chaplain ‘deeply stunning and upsetting’, say bishops

Prayers are being stated for a military chaplain stabbed in a knife assault in County Galway on Friday. 

Fr Paul Murphy, a chaplain with the Irish Defence Forces, sustained accidents described as severe however not life-threatening within the assault at Renmore Barracks. 

He stated in a Facebook publish that he was to obtain surgical procedure and thanked folks for his or her prayers. 

A teenage boy has been arrested in reference to the assault, and the Gardaí (Irish police) are investigating whether or not it was terrorism-related. 

Bishop of Galway, Michael Duignan, stated the assault was “deeply stunning and upsetting”.

“I pray for the injured man, asking God that he would make a full restoration. I pray too for his household, for his military colleagues and for the medical personnel who’re tending to his accidents right now,” he stated. 

The Bishop of Waterford & Lismore, Alphonsus Cullinan, stated the incident “serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the significance of unity inside our group”.

“We should come collectively not solely to help our injured priest but in addition to foster an atmosphere the place such acts don’t happen once more. Let us interact in dialogue about how we are able to promote peace, understanding, and respect amongst all people, no matter their backgrounds or beliefs,” he stated. 

“I encourage everybody to hitch me in prayer – not just for our wounded priest but in addition for the person chargeable for this act. May they discover redemption and will all of us work in direction of therapeutic the injuries that divide us. As we collect in prayer, allow us to do not forget that forgiveness is a strong software that may lead us towards reconciliation.”