Kamloops Bishop David Monroe, 69, has been removed from the Intensive
Care Unit of Kamloops Royal Inland Hospital, where he continues to
recover after being viciously beaten at Sacred Heart Cathedral Friday
night.
Father Vincent Asomugha said Sunday morning that Bishop Monroe
remains in intensive care in a "step-down unit."
There is no indication
when the bishop will be leaving the hospital.
The attack in the cathedral rectory took place about 10:15 p.m., and
Kamloops RCMP arrested a 30-year-old man several hours later. He will
appear in court Monday to face assault-related charges.
The man is believed to be suffering from mental health issues and is
not thought to have any connection with the Catholic Church, a police
spokesman said.
According to police an unknown man wearing dark clothing forcibly entered the rectory of Sacred Heart Cathedral.
He was confronted by Bishop Monroe, who was beaten badly with a blunt
object police believe the man picked up inside the rectory.
Another priest, Father Vincent Asomugha, heard the commotion and came
to help but apparently fell and dislocated a shoulder. He was treated
and released from hospital.
Assistant Father Derek Cameron was outside the building, heard the
yelling and called 911.
Police responded with dogs, helicopter and the
Serious Crimes Unit, following a trail of blood, said Sgt. Scott Wilson.
The trail and the search ended temporarily at the Thomson River, where police believe the suspect swam to the north shore.
Police found the Kamloops man at about 1 a.m. hiding in a shed on his father’s property at G&M Trailer Park.
Investigators said the suspect’s family was extremely co-operative,
according to media reports.
Earlier in the evening, family members had
taken the suspect to the hospital over concerns that he was experiencing
a psychotic episode.
The suspect smashed a window at about 8:50 p.m. and left the
hospital, said Sgt. Wilson. The cathedral is a short distance from the
hospital.
Msgr. Jerry Desmond, vicar general of the Kamloops Diocese and pastor
of Our Lady of the Mountains Parish in Whistler, happened to be in
town for his niece’s wedding the next day, which Bishop Monroe had been
scheduled to participate in.
The wedding went ahead with Msgr. Desmond
performing the ceremony.
Msgr. Desmond said he was called Friday night by Father Cameron who
told him about the attack.
Msgr. Desmond said he visited the bishop, who
was in bad shape, and anointed him.
Bishop Monroe was scheduled to attend the annual plenary meeting of
Canadian bishops in
Cornwall, Ont., this week.
Instead he will be
recovering from the attack.
SIC: BC/CAN