Catholic Priest Stabbed During Mass at St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal

Father Claude Grou was taken to a local hospital in an ambulance and is in stable condition.

Police provide security at St. Joseph's Oratory in Montreal March 22, after Father Claude Grou was stabbed during a livestreamed morning Mass. The suspect was arrested at the basilica shortly after the attack in front of 50 people and a television audience around 8:40am, and Father Grou was taken to the hospital.
Police provide security at St. Joseph's Oratory in Montreal March 22, after Father Claude Grou was stabbed during a livestreamed morning Mass. The suspect was arrested at the basilica shortly after the attack in front of 50 people and a television audience around 8:40am, and Father Grou was taken to the hospital. (photo: Sebastien St-Jean/AFP/Getty Images)

MONTREAL — A Catholic priest in Montreal is in stable condition after being stabbed during Friday morning Mass. One suspect has been taken into custody in connection with the attack.

Father Claude Grou, rector of St. Joseph’s Oratory, was celebrating Mass when the attacker ran toward the priest and stabbed him in the chest, CBC News reported. Police were called at 8:40am, about 10 minutes into Mass.

Adele Plamondon, a worshipper at the Mass, told CBC News that the attacker “was very determined in what he wanted to do. He didn’t yell; he didn’t say anything. He just took out his knife.”

The stabbing was captured on video. St. Joseph’s Oratory is the largest church in Canada, and its daily Mass is broadcast live each morning.

The priest’s injuries were not severe, according to authorities. He was taken to a local hospital in an ambulance.

The Diocese of Montreal said on Twitter that Father Grou’s “health is stable,” adding, “All our prayers are with him.”

Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante called the attack “a horrible and inexcusable gesture that has no place in Montreal.”

The Archdiocese of Toronto tweeted, “We offers our prayers for the priest stabbed this morning at @diocesemontreal’s St. Joseph’s Oratory while celebrating Mass.”