Elderly Priest Attacked in Church; Suffered a Stroke Due to Injuries
On the afternoon of October 8, 2016, two young men entered the church of Santa Rita in Vigo and asked to give confession to Father Antonio Rodríguez, age 83. Once alone with him, the two assailants grabbed the priest from behind, threw him to the ground and kicked him all over his body and head. They stole his glasses, wallet, watch, and the money they found in the church.
Officials reported that one of the assailants asked to confess and the priest accompanied him to the sacristy to speak with him. After finishing the confession in the office, the thief told him that a friend of his also wanted confession and the priest agreed. Once inside, the two attacked Father Rodríguez. According to witnesses, the thieves took the priest's glasses so that he could not later recognize them. After the attack, the priest walked to the nearby hospital emergency room. His mouth was bloody, from injuries to his gums. He was treated and released. However, the following day he was rushed to the hospital after suffering a stroke due to the blot clot that formed as a result of the blows to his head. Officials report that the day before the attack, the men went to the church and asked the priest for change, presumably to determine whether there was money in the sacristy. They then returned on a Saturday, when the church is less busy. Two Brazilians were later arrested and charged with robbery with violence causing injuries. In January 2017, Father Rodríguez, who was still hospitalized, was able to identify his attackers through photographs. The entire parish community was shocked, angry, and saddened by the incident. Sources: La Voz de Galicia; La Voz de Galicia; and Faro de Vigo