Colombian bishop laments brutal attack on priest

Bishop Julio Cesar Vidal Ortiz of Cucuta, Colombia has condemned an attack on a priest in his diocese, who was robbed and then stabbed on Aug. 7.

Father Pablo Sanchez was attacked around 6 a.m. local time on Tuesday at the rectory of the parish of Mary Mother of God in the northern town of Patios.

According to the director of communications for the Diocese of Cucuta, Diana Paola Alvarez, first responders said Fr. Sanchez was wounded and that before passing out, he told them he had been the victim of a break-in. He is currently in intensive care at a local hospital.

Alvarez said police and local officials have begun investigating the incident.

Bishop Vidal Ortiz issued a statement “profoundly lamenting this aggression,” along with the attacks suffered by others in the city and the region. He said Father Sanchez has undergone surgery and is weak and that police will have to wait until he wakes up to find out more details about the attack.

The bishop thanked police for their efforts in the investigation and urged “those who engage in violence to cease their aggressive actions” against others.

“May Lord Jesus, who gave his life for us, and the Virgin Mary help us to overcome this wave of aggression that the city and region are suffering,” he said.