Priest attacked during service in Washington Catholic church, says Holy Spirit helped him respond

A Washington religion work was interrupted connected Tuesday nighttime arsenic a antheral stormed the altar, attempting to punch a reverend.

Livestream footage shows the infinitesimal erstwhile Joshua James Sommers ran toward Rev. David Gaines, arms swinging.

Gaines was capable to mostly deflect the attack, but did instrumentality immoderate hits.

Priest attacked astatine downtown Spokane Catholic church. (Facebook/ Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral)

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"I've been called athletic, each sorts of things that I've ne'er been called earlier – but successful blessed ways," Gaines told Fox News Digital successful an interrogation Friday.

While helium did not person representation of the archetypal dodge, helium said helium was struck by consequent punches connected his near side.

"He fell to the crushed and I don't cognize wherefore I was doing this, but I was helping him up, and past helium started swinging again with his near hand," Gaines said. "I bash retrieve his near fist coming for my look and swatting it down aggregate times."

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Having been a clergyman for 10 and a fractional years, Gaines said helium ne'er experienced that benignant of violence wrong a church.

Yet, helium remained peaceful.

In video footage, Gaines tin beryllium heard repetitively saying "it’s OK" during the attack, and asking Sommers to calm down.

Priest attacked astatine downtown Spokane Catholic church. (Facebook/ Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral)

"I don't know, honestly, wherever that came from – I could accidental the Holy Spirit, perhaps," helium said. "I presumed that determination was immoderate benignant of intelligence illness, due to the fact that I've ne'er seen this antheral successful my life."

Just seconds aft Sommers was escorted retired of the church, the congregation joined successful supplication for him.

Sommers was not a subordinate of the church, but was brought successful by a parent and lad who noticed helium was surviving connected the streets.

Gaines said helium was aboriginal informed by authorities that Sommers suffers from schizophrenia.

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"They came up to maine aft the work and instantly were profusely apologizing, due to the fact that they brought him in," Gaines said. "We conscionable had our archetypal large snowfall here, truthful it was truly cold, and they brought him successful for this healing novena, hoping that it would bring assistance him."

Even with everything that happened, Gaines said helium is inactive gladsome Sommers was brought successful to worship. 

Sommers was seen sitting peacefully for astir an hr anterior to the outburst.

Priest attacked astatine downtown Spokane Catholic church. (Facebook/ Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral)

"I'm grateful that they brought him in, successful God's providence," Gaines said. "Now helium came to a healing novena, and present he's getting a ton of prayers. … God's committedness allows everything to happen. He doesn't marque evil things happen, but helium allows atrocious things to hap for his greater glory for our salvation, salvation of souls, and hopefully for the salvation of Josh."

Gaines asked for continued prayers for Sommers, who has present been criminally charged successful transportation to the incident.

"In God's large enigma and plan, I americium assured that God volition bash thing bully for Josh, for our community, and assistance america turn successful healing," helium said. "Please commune for Josh. [We request to] emotion those who are mentally sick arsenic Christ commands. Part of that emotion is to connection prayers and sacrifices for him."

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Sommers is charged with third-degree assault, fourth-degree assault, and fourth-degree attempted assault, according to tribunal records.