A Spokane, Washington-based Catholic priest was attacked during a prayer service on Tuesday, disrupting the peaceful ceremony. The incident unfolded at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes, where Rev. David Gaines was participating in a prayer service alongside Bishop Thomas Daly. The assault took place during the church’s Lourdes Novena for Healing, a nine-day prayer series that concludes with the Feast of the Lady of Lourdes, a patron saint associated with healing, peace, and the sick.
The church’s livestream captured the moment when an unidentified man, seated in the front row, abruptly stood up and rushed towards the altar where the clergy were kneeling. Rev. Gaines rose as the man approached, and was struck in the face. The assailant fell to the ground as Gaines attempted to restrain him, with church staff and other attendees rushing to assist the priest.
The incident was picked up by one of the microphones, recording a witness urging the attacker to “calm down.” Rev. Darrin Connall, who was leading the prayer at the time of the attack, called for security as the man’s unintelligible shouts reverberated throughout the cathedral. The man was subsequently handcuffed and escorted out of the cathedral by several men present.
Following the incident, Connall resumed the service with a prayer for the “disturbed gentleman.” At the end of the service, Connall expressed his gratitude to those who had intervened 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 other individuals were harmed.
The church later posted on Facebook, stating that both Gaines and Bishop Daly were doing well and thanking the community for their concerns and continued participation in the evening’s Novena. Connall also commented on the incident, suggesting that the man’s actions were indicative of his need for healing.
The clergy returned to the cathedral the following night for the third night of prayers. Connall briefly addressed the attack, reassuring the congregation that they were fine, albeit a bit shaken. He humorously suggested that Gaines should wear a bandage, likening it to the one President Trump wore following his assassination attempt in July 2024. The man is expected to appear in court on Thursday, with no motive for the attack yet revealed.