May 10, 2009

The Catholic community in Sinton came together Sunday for a special mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe church. It was the first time the church's doors opened to the public since the brutial stabbing of 42 year old Father Shagi Vargheeze.

Father Shagi remains in the hospital after investigators say the alleged aggressor 36 year old David Rodriguez, who is a member of the church, stabbed the father several times in the chest after a Friday morning mass.

The Bishop said he has since visited with Rodriguez, who is now in the San Patricio County Jail.

Bishop Edmund Carmody of the Catholic Diocese of Corpus Christi said, "I had the privileged to go by his cell, pray with him and for him to let him know the community is praying for him thinking of him and praying for the lord to heal him."

The Bishop says Father Shaji is alert, and doctors hope to soon take him off a ventilator.

While the priest is recovering, the Bishop announced the church will have a new priest who's name is ironically Vargheze Anthony.