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On August 31, 2026, a Catholic priest, Father Christopher Peschel was injured after confronting an unknown man who disrupted Adoration and attempted to take the monstrance at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in New Bedford, Massachusetts. A bystander helped Father Peschel subdue the individual until police arrived to make an arrest. Following a hospital evaluation, Father Peschel returned to the rectory, expressed gratitude to first responders and medical staff, and offered forgiveness and prayers for his assailant. Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha echoed these sentiments and noted that the Diocese of Fall River is actively working with law enforcement and its recently formed Safety and Security Task Force to bolster parish emergency preparedness while maintaining a welcoming environment.
Police Statement:*** 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐁𝐄𝐃𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐀𝐓 𝐌𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐔𝐑𝐂𝐇 ***
A 59-year-old man was arrested Monday evening following a disturbance at Mount Carmel Church on Bonney Street.
Just after 5:15 p.m., units responded to the church for a report of a male arguing with a priest.
Upon arrival, officers observed a man, later identified as JOSE NASCIMENTO, 59, of PURCHASE STREET, involved in a physical altercation with the priest and a bystander who was assisting. Officers learned that NASCIMENTO had entered the church and began knocking over items on the altar. A physical confrontation subsequently occurred as the priest escorted the male outside.
The priest sustained a minor injury to his face after being punched and hit with a beer can, and was transported to the hospital for further evaluation.
NASCIMENTO was placed under arrest and charged with Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon, Assault and Battery, Threat to Commit a Crime, Disturbing the Peace, and Disorderly Conduct.
A 59-year-old man was arrested Monday evening following a disturbance at Mount Carmel Church on Bonney Street.
Just after 5:15 p.m., units responded to the church for a report of a male arguing with a priest.
Upon arrival, officers observed a man, later identified as JOSE NASCIMENTO, 59, of PURCHASE STREET, involved in a physical altercation with the priest and a bystander who was assisting. Officers learned that NASCIMENTO had entered the church and began knocking over items on the altar. A physical confrontation subsequently occurred as the priest escorted the male outside.
The priest sustained a minor injury to his face after being punched and hit with a beer can, and was transported to the hospital for further evaluation.
NASCIMENTO was placed under arrest and charged with Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon, Assault and Battery, Threat to Commit a Crime, Disturbing the Peace, and Disorderly Conduct.
Thank you everyone for your prayers And messages I’m doing well and am at St Luke Hospital getting some things checked out. Yes a man attacked me at confessions and adoration this evening after he tried to steal the monstrance. I forgive him. I am just glad nobody else was hurt. I pinned him down until the police arrived. NBPD, the ambulance crew, and the staff at St Luke have been great. I am alright, thank you all again. And for the record, I’m 38 not 59 haha!
Pray for that man!
Pray for peace!
Statement of the Diocese following incident at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, New Bedford
September 2, 2026
Pray for that man!
Pray for peace!
Statement of the Diocese following incident at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, New Bedford
September 2, 2026
On Monday evening, August 31, during a regularly scheduled time for Confession and Adoration at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in New Bedford, a man unknown to Father Christopher Peschel, who is pastor, entered the church, began knocking items over on the altar and attempted to take the monstrance in which the Holy Eucharist was displayed for Adoration. The New Bedford Police Department was notified.
Father Peschel went to stop the man and escort him outside the church, where an altercation ensued.
Father Peschel was then assaulted by the man, suffering a minor injury to his face. A bystander came to assist Father Peschel and subdue the man until police arrived at which time the man was placed under arrest.
Father Peschel was brought to St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford for an evaluation.
Thanks be to God Father Peschel is doing well after sustaining the minor injury and is back at the rectory at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.
Father Peschel is glad that no one else was injured in the incident. He expresses his appreciation to the New Bedford Police Department, the ambulance crew, and the staff at St. Luke’s.
He has shared that he has forgiven his assailant and asks for prayers for the man and for peace.
Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., spoke to Father Peschel to check on his condition and assure him of his prayers and concern in the wake of this matter.
Bishop da Cunha is grateful to God that Father Peschel was not seriously injured and that no one else in the church at the time was hurt.
The bishop extends his thanks to the city’s Police Department for their response and adds his appreciation to medical personnel who treated Father Peschel.
Echoing Father Peschel, Bishop da Cunha believes that prayers are needed for the assailant in the matter as nothing is yet known about his own personal condition.
Safety and security at parishes in the Diocese of Fall River is an ongoing area of focus for Bishop da Cunha and diocesan leadership.
Earlier this year, a Chancery Safety and Security Task Force was assembled to enhance training and resources across the Diocese.
Diocesan staff will continue to work closely with law enforcement to help parishes strengthen preparedness efforts while preserving the spirit of welcome central to Catholic communities, and to equip parish communities to respond effectively during emergencies.
Father Peschel went to stop the man and escort him outside the church, where an altercation ensued.
Father Peschel was then assaulted by the man, suffering a minor injury to his face. A bystander came to assist Father Peschel and subdue the man until police arrived at which time the man was placed under arrest.
Father Peschel was brought to St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford for an evaluation.
Thanks be to God Father Peschel is doing well after sustaining the minor injury and is back at the rectory at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.
Father Peschel is glad that no one else was injured in the incident. He expresses his appreciation to the New Bedford Police Department, the ambulance crew, and the staff at St. Luke’s.
He has shared that he has forgiven his assailant and asks for prayers for the man and for peace.
Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., spoke to Father Peschel to check on his condition and assure him of his prayers and concern in the wake of this matter.
Bishop da Cunha is grateful to God that Father Peschel was not seriously injured and that no one else in the church at the time was hurt.
The bishop extends his thanks to the city’s Police Department for their response and adds his appreciation to medical personnel who treated Father Peschel.
Echoing Father Peschel, Bishop da Cunha believes that prayers are needed for the assailant in the matter as nothing is yet known about his own personal condition.
Safety and security at parishes in the Diocese of Fall River is an ongoing area of focus for Bishop da Cunha and diocesan leadership.
Earlier this year, a Chancery Safety and Security Task Force was assembled to enhance training and resources across the Diocese.
Diocesan staff will continue to work closely with law enforcement to help parishes strengthen preparedness efforts while preserving the spirit of welcome central to Catholic communities, and to equip parish communities to respond effectively during emergencies.
Sources - https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1508238431330950&set=pb.100064344235538.-2207520000
https://anchornews.org/local-news/statement-of-the-diocese-following-incident-at-our-lady-of-mount-carmel-church-new-bedford/
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