Kerala priest stabbed by Italian in Melbourne during Sunday Mass


Updated

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 19 (IANS): A Catholic priest from Kerala was attacked by an Italian on Sunday when the former was leading the Sunday mass in a Melbourne church.

"The priest, Tomy Mathew, was stabbed in the neck with a kitchen knife by the Italian during the mass at a Catholic church in Melbourne suburbs," said Thiruvallom Bhasi, editor of a Melbourne daily who is currently visiting here.

"While the ceremony was on, the accused came forward and shouted that since he (Mathew) is an Indian, he cannot conduct the mass," Bhasi added.

Bhasi said the accused was arrested by Melbourne Police.

The priest is now said to be out of danger.

The man allegedly yelled 'you are Indian, a Hindu or Muslim, you cannot say mass... I will kill you,' church officials told the Herald Sun.

According to a report in the Daily Mail, they began to argue and the man produced a kitchen knife from his trousers and stabbed Fr Mathew in the neck in front of dozens of parishioners.

Several people tried to restrain the attacker, but he broke free and fled the scene.

He was later seen on Minona Street, where he escaped some worshipers who pursued him, Daily Mail reported.

Later on Sunday evening, a 72-year-old man was arrested in connection with the stabbing, police announced. The man, who lives in Fawkner, has not yet been charged, police said.

The alleged attacker was seen hanging around the church last weekend but has not attended any services, the report said.

"At this stage we believe the incident is isolated and there is nothing to suggest that he is a danger to anyone else," Detective Senior Constable Rhiannon Norton said at a press conference.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Requiem, Melbourne

    Sat, Mar 25 2017

    This incident has got nothing to do with Keralites or because you are Indian.. Get your fact straight. I am in Melbourne.. The reason is the 72 year old Italian did not like Indian preaching in Italian Mass in the church.. In Australia, Indian Christians dominate the churches, and immigrants like Italians, British due to fall in their marriages and women not getting married, they have no future generation left.. Melbourne has 50% Indian kids every year. Hence the attack as whites are minority.. All jobs and churches are filled with Christians from India, Pakistan and majority are recent converts to Christianity especially from Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Arab countries

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Logical Indian, Kudla

    Mon, Mar 20 2017

    India has a close relationship with "Italy".....!

    DisAgree [13] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Nash, Mangalore

    Mon, Mar 20 2017

    And people still vote for Italians!!!

    DisAgree [22] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • jl, mumbai

    Mon, Mar 20 2017

    BJP keeps endorsing and bhakts keep self certifying Maths graduate from which university. besides education has only made him more foul mouth. The party has only comparisions to its credit and abolute no achievements as on date. they are very active and hardworking only on social media. just because congress is not upto mark doesno certify bjp to be good either.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • H.DSOUZA, KODAGU / MANGALURU

    Mon, Mar 20 2017

    He could have been God's Own Priest!!

    DisAgree [5] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dinesh, Dubai

    Mon, Mar 20 2017

    this is the good example they are not accepting indain christians are really christian. need to make ghar waapasi here...

    DisAgree [44] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • alex, Mangalore

    Mon, Mar 20 2017

    Wishing the Rev . Fr a speedy recovery ,going to a far of place and carrying out the pastoral duties we should appreciate the commitment and dedication to the duty .Sad to see no many sympathy comments for an uncalled attack when we should be supporting them in their vocation . Let us pray at this moment for all the persecuted christian's world wise.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [26] Reply Report Abuse

  • Robin, Byndoor

    Mon, Mar 20 2017

    In India, Reservation is only for SC/ST/OBC and for minorities....

    In Gulf reservation for only Mallus.... Mallus reservation claim in Australia is objected now.... Thats all...

    By mistake they consumed our Karasargod.... Kannadigas fear to stay at Western Ghats due to Naxalites were cleverly occupied by Mallus....

    Too smartness is also dangerous.... Other people born in this world also should live....

    DisAgree [5] Agree [32] Reply Report Abuse

  • k b r, mangala uru

    Mon, Mar 20 2017

    these naxalites (goons with naxalite mask) are sponsored/instigated by Mallu forest grabbers. Western ghats is under control of Mallus. No one knows what is going on there...extremist activities, plundering of forest wealth etc.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • Af,,, Mangalore

    Mon, Mar 20 2017

    Time has come to appoint gun man for preiest too.

    DisAgree Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Cynthia, Moodbidri

    Mon, Mar 20 2017

    RIP. The problem with keralites where ever they go they speak in their own language Malayalam and invite racial attacks

    DisAgree [6] Agree [38] Reply Report Abuse

  • k b r, Mangala Uru

    Mon, Mar 20 2017

    Not only that, they form their own coterie and work from behind against local people.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [30] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shibu, Dubai

    Mon, Mar 20 2017

    The priest is now said to be out of danger

    RIP for what?

    DisAgree [4] Agree [28] Reply Report Abuse

  • H.DSOUZA, KODAGU / MANGALURU

    Mon, Mar 20 2017

    Simbly Sir,

    DisAgree [1] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • FRANCIS, Dubai

    Mon, Mar 20 2017

    RIP for RETURN IF POSSIBLE... ha....ha....

    DisAgree [1] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • FRANCIS, Dubai

    Mon, Mar 20 2017

    RIP is RETURN IF POSSIBLE..........

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mangalorean, IXE/DXB

    Mon, Mar 20 2017

    Well said Cyntia...
    They isolate from their language not only other county people but their own country people.
    They and their language very shrewd nature..

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Salvador Pereira, Mangalore

    Sun, Mar 19 2017

    Wish there was no religion and only humanity.

    DisAgree Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • john, mangalore/kuwait

    Sun, Mar 19 2017

    ONE THING I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE ARE CRAZY TO WORK IN EUROPE/UK/US/AUSTRALIA, EVEN THOUGH WE READ EVERYDAY VIOLENCE. AND NO SAFETY FOR INDIANS.IF NEED BE BETTER TO WORK IN GULF, BCOZ HERE THE LAW IS LAW.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • G M Hegde, Udupi

    Sun, Mar 19 2017

    Thats why "Sare jahaan se Accha Hindustan Hamara"

    DisAgree [10] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • Amigo, Mangalore

    Sun, Mar 19 2017

    He is a NUT and 90% Italians are also NUTS. How can a Hindu or Muslim, wether he is a Indian or European celebrate the Holy Mass? even Catholic Layman can't. Arabs calling the Egyptians as "Saheedi" means brainless villagers likewise Europeans calling the Italians as European "Saheedis"

    DisAgree [3] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • k b r, Mangala Uru

    Sun, Mar 19 2017

    Once again Kerala.....

    DisAgree [1] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sun, Mar 19 2017

    Australia & America get A+ in racesim ...

    DisAgree [2] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • sri, Karkala

    Sun, Mar 19 2017

    Italian mafia cannot digest Indians growth.

    DisAgree [76] Agree [47] Reply Report Abuse

  • Well wisher, Mangalore

    Sun, Mar 19 2017

    What about Saffron mafia? Against to' HUMANITY', I guess.

    DisAgree [31] Agree [112] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rita, Germany

    Mon, Mar 20 2017

    @sri karkala,most probably he doesnt belong to any Group of Mafia,nor any political Party.When you consider his Age,he must be sick,mentally not in order.So we Need not make any more comments .If he wanted to harm him,he would have brought a more sharp weapon,or hit him elswhere.since he was loitering about in church area, a homeless or drugaddict Person?Let Police give the Details.He dont even know hindu or muslim cant celebrate mass.in church.Thats my theory.so we Need not search in Mafia Pond.Hope the priest has recovered from his shock and enjoy good health.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Sun, Mar 19 2017

    There is one God only and we are all one with God. It doesn't matter what your skin colour is or where you came from.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [105] Reply Report Abuse

  • Peter, KSA

    Sun, Mar 19 2017

    Wish everyone thinks as you Mr. Henry.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Clifford, Mangalore

    Mon, Mar 20 2017

    This Italian was around the church and not attending the services.
    Here it is humanity vs ego.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse


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