Massachusetts priest injured after confronting man who disrupted adoration and tried to take monstrance

Father Christopher Peschel, pastor of a Catholic church in Massachusetts, was injured Aug. 31 after confronting a man who disrupted Eucharistic adoration, according to the Diocese of Fall River.

The incident occurred during confession and adoration at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in New Bedford, the diocese said in a Sept. 1 statement. A man entered the church, began knocking over items on the altar, and attempted to take the monstrance that contained the Holy Eucharist, the diocese reported.

“Father Peschel went to stop the man and escort him outside the church, where an altercation ensued,” the statement said. “Father Peschel was then assaulted by the man, suffering a minor injury to his face.”

According to a New Bedford Police Department Facebook post, police responded to the church after receiving a report that a man, whom they later identified as Jose Nascimento, 59, was arguing with a priest. They found Nascimento engaged in a physical altercation with the priest and a bystander who had stepped in to assist, and they learned that the man had come into the church and begun knocking items over on the altar. A physical confrontation then ensued as the priest escorted him outside. Authorities learned that the pastor had been punched and struck in the face with a beer can.

Father Peschel said in a Facebook post Aug. 31 that he is grateful for prayers and messages of support he received and asked people to pray for the man who attacked him.

“I’m doing well and am at St Luke Hospital getting some things checked out,” the priest explained. “Yes a man attacked me at confessions and adoration this evening after he tried to steal the monstrance. I forgive him. I am just glad nobody else was hurt. I pinned him down until the police arrived. NBPD, the ambulance crew, and the staff at St Luke have been great. I am alright, thank you all again.”

WCVB, an ABC affiliate, reported bystander Joao Debrito said he helped the priest as soon as he saw the altercation.

“I grab the guy, make sure I don’t fight the priest and hold him down,” Debrito said. “Make sure the priest call the police. The police came, and they take over.”

Nascimento was arrested and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, threat to commit a crime, disturbing the peace, and disorderly conduct, according to the post.

Father Peschel told officers, according to a police report, Boston.com said, that he was hearing confessions when he heard people saying his name. He left the confessional, found Nascimento hitting objects at the altar, and asked him to accompany him outside of the church. The man then began “throwing punches,” the report said. Father Peschel told officers that Nascimento threw an empty 25-ounce Natural Light beer can wrapped in a plastic bag at him, causing a cut beneath his eye. Nascimento – after first saying that the items did not belong to him – said, “I almost whacked him in the head with it in self defense,” according to the police report, Boston.com reported.

Nascimento told officers, according to the report, that he was leaving the church when the priest pushed him. According to the report, Nascimento repeatedly threatened the priest from a distance while police were at the scene, telling him he was “a dead man” and using profane language, the article said. Nascimento also said he had a bullet in his backpack, but authorities did not find one inside the bag.

Witnesses told police that Nascimento stomped his feet as he approached the altar, struck objects on it with his hands, and hit a statue of Jesus Christ, according to the police report cited by Boston.com.

The New Bedford District Court on Sept. 2 ordered Nascimento to complete a mental health exam, according to court documents, Boston.com reported.

WPRI, a CBS affiliate, reported that Nascimento’s initial arraignment was postponed until Sept. 2 after he was shouting profanities and was escorted out of court on Sept. 1. On Sept. 2, a judge determined he should undergo mental health evaluations at Bridgewater State Hospital for 20 days, according to WPRI. The man will likely return to court later this month, the news outlet reported.

The diocese’s statement said Father Peschel has since returned to the parish’s rectory and Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., is grateful nobody else was hurt.

“Echoing Father Peschel, Bishop da Cunha believes that prayers are needed for the assailant in the matter as nothing is yet known about his own personal condition,” the statement added.

The diocese also noted that its leadership is focusing on safety and security at parishes, in partnership with law enforcement.

“Diocesan staff will continue to work closely with law enforcement to help parishes strengthen preparedness efforts while preserving the spirit of welcome central to Catholic communities, and to equip parish communities to respond effectively during emergencies,” the statement said.

Father Peschel was ordained a priest for the diocese in 2014.