Catholic priest critically injured after vicious knife attack during Mass

Fr. Machorro was stabbed in the neck and torso.

A Mexican priest was severely injured after being violently stabbed in Mexico City's Metropolitan Cathedral on May 15.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Father Jose Miguel Machorro Alcala was concluding Mass and blessing the congregation with holy water when the attacker, John Rock Schild of the United States, stabbed into him.

Father Machorro suffered injuries in his neck and near his lung. He was rushed to the nearest hospital by helicopter and underwent immediate emergency surgeries. His condition now is listed as "delicate, but stable," and he remains in the Intensive Care Unit.

Witnesses describe the attacker as appearing to want to slit the priest's throat. While the motive for the attack is unknown, authorities have detained the attacker, who described himself as an American artist, after he reportedly tried to flee the cathedral.

During a news conference, according to Catholic News Agency, Armando Martinez, the lawyer of the Archdiocese of Mexico, asked for prayer for the recovering priest.

"We cannot talk about terrorism, we cannot talk about motives because we obviously have no significant facts," Martinez stated.

Mexico City Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera offered prayers for the injured priest in a Twitter post, "so that he is healthy and returns to his normal duties."

The attack on Father Machorro adds to the many other recent violent attacks on priests in Mexico. In the past years, 17 priests have been murdered and countless others kidnapped or attacked. According to Catholic News Agency, "drug trafficking has led to increased murder and kidnapping in the country."

Mass at Mexico City's Cathedral will continue on their regular schedule.

Please pray for Mexico's priests and pray for a quick recovery for Fr. Machorro.

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