Priest Assaulted in Anti-Catholic Attack Outside St. Christopher's Cathedral, Canberra

A Local Priest Has Been Assaulted By Pro-Government Supporters After Mass At The Cathedral In The Australian Capital...

Laudetur Iesus Christus.

CANBERRA - In a shocking display of intolerance and aggression, a priest was reportedly assaulted outside Saint Christopher's Cathedral, Canberra, on Saturday night by supporters of the ACT Government's controversial plan to forcibly take over the Calvary Hospital from the Catholic Church.

Saint Christopher's Cathedral In Canberra

The priest, a respected figure in the local Catholic community, was outside the Cathedral after evening Mass when he was targeted in the unprovoked attack. Witnesses say the assailants hurled eggs at the unsuspecting priest while shouting pro-government and anti-Catholic slogans.

"It was all so sudden. They were shouting about the hospital takeover, saying we have no right to interfere and using vulgar slurs against the Church and the Priest." One witness said.

Bystanders, including several churchgoers, were appalled by the incident. A regular parishioner expressed her shock, "This is a place of worship. The fact that people would stoop to such disrespectful behaviour is appalling. It is a hate crime, but we will not be deterred. Our mission is to serve the community and protect the Church and its institutions. We will continue to do so in the face of whatever challenges come our way."

The incident has sparked outrage in the local community and beyond, with many condemning the assault as an act of religious intolerance. It has also heightened tensions around the proposed hospital takeover, which critics argue is an unprecedented infringement on the relationship between the Church and the state.

The Catholic Church has been providing healthcare in Australia since the late 19th century. Over time, the Church has established hundreds hospitals and healthcare facilities, including Calvary Hospital, serving the community with compassionate care rooted in Catholic principles.

The ACT Government's plan to forcibly acquire Calvary Hospital has been met with significant opposition from both within and outside the Catholic community. Critics of the plan argue that the proposed takeover threatens the hospital's ability to provide the compassionate, faith-based care it is known for, while also setting a dangerous precedent for government intrusion into religious and private institutions.

The story has also become international news, with major news networks reporting on the news in India, the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Italy.

The local Catholic community is rallying around the Church, vowing to stand firm in their opposition to the proposed takeover. "The hospital and the Church are more than just institutions to us; they are symbols of our faith and our commitment to serving the community. We will not back down." another parishioner stated.

As the debate over the proposed takeover continues to rage, Saturday's incident serves as a chilling reminder of the division and hostility it has engendered. It remains to be seen how this escalating conflict will be resolved, but one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the community is deeply divided.