In Apparent Hate Crime, Indian Origin Priest Stabbed in Melbourne Church

In what is considered to be a hate crime, an Indian Catholic priest was attacked by a seventy two year old man while leading the Sunday mass in a Melbourne church, according to media reports.

Based on reports by News.com.au, racism may be the reason behind the attack on the priest. The priest was stabbed in the neck moments before he was about to say mass at a Melbourne church.

According to the report, the offender is believed to have told the priest that because he was an Indian, he must be a Muslim or a Hindu and therefore cannot be saying a mass.

The man has been charged for stabbing Rev Tomy Kalathoor Mathew, 48, in the neck moments before the priest was due to give the 11a.m. Italian-language mass on Sunday. He has been charged with intentionally and recklessly causing injury and bailed to appear in the Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on June 13.

Father Tomy is recovering from non life-threatening injuries in hospital.