Stabbed priest prays for attacker

Sydney, Australia, Sep 26, 2007 / 08:49 am

A priest stabbed at his mission on Sydney's north-west side last month says he has been praying for his attacker.

Fr. Ho Tran, 55, from the Divine Word Mission in Marsfield, was stabbed in the throat by an intruder when he investigated noises from a communal kitchen about 4:30 a.m. on August 10. The intruder - who has not yet been apprehended - fled.

Showing a love for his enemy, Fr. Tran said, “I need to pray for the one who attacked me. I feel when I pray for him in the future he can be better - everyone wants to live in harmony.”

The priest started preaching again at the mission two weeks ago.

He told The Sydney Morning Herald he was physically improving, despite a little pain in his right arm, and he continues to see a psychologist to cope with what happened.

He thanked his parishioners for their prayers.