A Catholic priest in Spokane, Washington, was assaulted during a prayer service on Tuesday, causing a peaceful ceremony to descend into chaos. The incident took place at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes, where Rev. David Gaines was praying alongside Bishop Thomas Daly. The attack occurred during the church’s Lourdes Novena for Healing, a nine-day prayer series culminating with the Feast of the Lady of Lourdes, the patron saint of healing, peace, and the sick.
The church’s livestream captured the moment when the assailant, who was seated in the first row, suddenly stood up and ran towards the altar where the clergy were kneeling. Rev. Gaines stood up as the man approached, receiving a punch to the face. The attacker, whose identity has not been disclosed, fell to the floor as Gaines jumped on him to subdue him. Church staff and other worshippers quickly came to the priest’s aid.
The incident was recorded by one of the microphones, capturing a witness telling the attacker to “calm down.” The rector, Rev. Darrin Connall, who was leading the prayer at the time of the attack, called for security as the man’s incoherent shouts echoed throughout the cathedral. The man was handcuffed and escorted out of the cathedral by several men in attendance.
Following the incident, Connall resumed the service with a prayer for the “disturbed gentleman.” At the conclusion of the service, Connall expressed gratitude to those who had rushed to assist the priests. He also informed the congregation that the man had been arrested and charged with assault and trespassing. Fortunately, Gaines did not sustain any injuries in the attack, and no one else was harmed.
The church later posted on Facebook, “Fr. Gaines and Bishop Daly are both doing well. Thank you for all of your concerns and thank you for joining us again for this evening’s Novena.” Connall also commented on the incident, stating, “Whatever his motivation was it wasn’t well, so it’s providential or ironic that we are in these days of healing and in the midst of all this, this happens from a man who needs some sort of healing in his life.”
The clergy returned to the cathedral the following night for the third night of prayers. Connall briefly addressed the attack, saying, “We’re fine, just a little shaken from last night but today helped, it was a troubling event last night.” He also humorously suggested that Gaines should wear a bandage, much like the one President Trump wore following his assassination attempt in July 2024. The man is expected to appear in court on Thursday. No motive for the attack has been revealed.