The following news update is courtesy of the Catholic Action League of Massachusetts…
A little before 5:15 pm, on Monday, September 1st, a man entered Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on Bonney Street in New Bedford, during Confession and Eucharistic Adoration, and attempted to steal the monstrance from the main altar.
The Parish Priest, Reverend Christopher Peschel, KCHS, intervened to prevent the theft, and was punched in the face by the perpetrator, and then struck again in the face, with a beer can.
Despite his injuries, Father Peschel, with the help of a parishioner, Joao Debrito, was able to subdue the man and escort him out of the church, where he was subsequently arrested by New Bedford Police.
The attacker was identified as Jose Nascimento, 59, of New Bedford.
Nascimento — who has an extensive criminal record — was charged with Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon, Assault and Battery, Threat to Commit a Crime, Disturbing the Peace, and Disorderly Conduct.
His arraignment in New Bedford District Court was delayed after a profanity-laden outburst.
Father Peschel was brought to Saint Luke’s Hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries.
The Catholic Action League called the priest’s conduct “courageous, dutiful and selfless.”
Catholic Action League Executive Director C. J. Doyle made the following comment:
A Catholic church ought to be a quintessential safe space for its parishioners.
Instead, in New Bedford on Monday, a career criminl, in broad daylight, enters a Catholic Church, disrupts a solemn religious service, violates the sanctuary, attempts to steal the monstrance containing the Body of Christ, and then brutally assaults the Pastor and a parishioner.
This fiend ought to have the book thrown at him. He deserves significant jail time. He should be charged with a hate crime.
Penalties for such crimes ought to be severe, certain and well known to any potential perpetrator.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a parish of the Diocese of Fall River. Established in 1902, it is the second oldest Portugese church in the City of New Bedford.
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