IRVINGTON, N.J. (CNS) — Auxiliary Bishop Manuel A. Cruz of Newark told a congregation he was fine Jan. 29, the day after he had been punched in the mouth by an assailant.
“He did meet and address the congregation this morning to tell everybody that he was fine and that, certainly, people should not be making this a matter that they can be worked up on,” said James Goodness, Newark archdiocesan spokesman, told the NJ.com website. “This was an isolated incident.”
The Cuban-born Bishop Cruz, a Newark auxiliary since 2008, was at a Jan. 28 event for baseball Hall of Famer Robert Clemente when he was attacked. He was celebrating a special Mass for the late player at the Basilica Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Newark.
Video from local news website TapIntoNewark (below) showed the bishop reciting the Collect prayer near the beginning of Mass when his assailant walked into the cathedral’s sanctuary and punched the bishop. His assailant was quickly subdued by police.
Charles Miller was arrested by the Essex County Sheriff’s Office and charged with aggravated assault. The Essex County prosecutor’s office is handling the investigation. No motive was given for the attack.
Bishop Cruz was taken to a hospital afterward with injuries that were not serious. He was released later that day and returned to the cathedral residence.
“Certainly we’re thankful that law enforcement was on hand and able to apprehend the assailant,” Goodness told NJ.com.
Miller was being held in the Essex County Correctional Facility pending a court appearance, according to Thomas Fennelly, Essex County’s chief assistant prosecutor.
PREVIOUS: Trump’s action banning refugees spurs outrage of church leaders
NEXT: Initiative helps Texas Catholic school survive, draw more Latino students
A lot of very good people are being attacked, simply because they are good . This Goodness, comes from The Lord. .this infuriates the evil spirit . It in turn incites sad people to attack the good person. The attacker usually has some kind of malady which imbalances their reasoning. Glad the Bishop is ok.
Thank you, Jesus, that Bishop Cruz is O.K.
Thank you Jesus that Bishop Cruz was not seriously injured. Help me to forgive those who hate. God bless the Catholic Church.