A 72-year-old man has been charged over an alleged knife attack on an Indian priest in a Melbourne church.
48-year-old Father Tomy Mathew’s neck was slashed with a knife after arrived at the St Matthew’s Parish in Fawkner in front of worshippers at about 11 am on Sunday.
It's believed the offender may have previously taken issue with the priest's Indian heritage and accused him of being a Hindu or a Muslim and therefore unqualified to say Catholic mass. Police have not confirmed those claims.
reports that the attacker approached Father Mathew in the foyer of the church and allegedly attacked him with a knife on the left side of his neck.
The priest, originally from Kozhikode district in Kerala, was treated at the Northern Hospital for a neck wound.
A witness told that ambulance arrived quickly and Father Mathew was able to walk out to get into the ambulance.
Another worshipper at the church said she along with two others tried to chase the attacker and get his photos.
"I didn't get too close because I didn't know if he still had the knife,” she told Fairfax Media.
He is said to be in a stable condition.
Police detectives have spoken with a number of witnesses and are appealing anyone who may be able to assist with investigations.
“There was a large number of witnesses but we are appealing for anyone that may have seen the incident or this male offender,” said Detective Senior Constable Rhiannon Norton.
Father Mathew has been parish priest of the church since late 2014 and Thamarassery diocese authorities said he would continue his duty as the priest at that church.
According to , he belongs to Kalathoor family of Karimbu in Anakkampoyil and became a priest under Thamarassery diocese in 1994. He had served as vicar at churches in Adakkakundu, Vettilappara, Kallurutti and Chundathumpoyil and worked as a teacher at Alphonsa School in Thamarassery.
The attacker was bailed to appear in Broadmeadows Magistrate’s Court in June.
