Montreal priest stabbed during mass returns to his duties

MONTREAL — The Montreal priest who was stabbed during morning mass resumed his duties one week after the attack.

Rev. Claude Grou returned to Montreal’s St. Joseph’s Oratory today to warm applause from about 100 worshippers on hand.

Grou, 77, told reporters later he’s doing well and thanked those who came to his assistance following the attack.

He said he wants the landmark church to remain a peaceful, welcoming place with its sense of safety intact.

The attack took place last Friday shortly after the beginning of the 8:30 a.m. mass, when a 26-year-old man attacked the priest as the mass was being streamed live on the internet.

The accused, Vlad Cristian Eremia, faces charges of attempted murder and assault with a weapon and was sent to a psychiatric hospital this week for evaluation.