Rescue to the hospital

At the Advent wreath blessing: priest loses his cool

There were dramatic scenes in the church.

(Bild: Jauschowetz Christian)

A dramatic incident occurred on Saturday evening during the blessing of the Advent wreath in the parish church of Fischbach (Styria): The priest completely lost his temper right at the beginning of the mass, suddenly shouted around and went on the rampage. The emergency services and police were called out and the mayor was shocked.

It should have been a contemplative celebration - but it ended with a rescue operation and great consternation: as the diocese of Graz-Seckau confirmed to the "Krone", there were turbulent scenes in the Fischbach parish church on Saturday evening.

Completely at the end of his tether
The priest lost his nerve right at the beginning of the mass, which was attended by numerous worshippers. He went berserk, shouted around and rioted in the chancel. The shocked churchgoers, who had to put up with verbal abuse, tried to calm the priest down - but were unsuccessful.

The Red Cross had to be called out and take the priest, who has been suffering from health problems for some time, to hospital. The police also intervened.

Fischbach's mayor Silvia Karelly

(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

Pastor refused help
The horrified churchgoers informed the parish council, which in turn informed the diocese. Vicar General Erich Linhardt was deeply shocked and apologized for the incident at the Advent wreath consecration: "We ask for forgiveness, also on behalf of our priest, who has obviously completely lost control of himself." He had been offered help, but had refused. 

"In a small town, you stick together"
The parish is now being looked after by pastoral staff, and the diocesan crisis team has offered support. Mayor Silvia Karelly - who sat in on the mass herself - is grateful for this: "We are now trying to pick up the pieces. In a small town, you stick together, especially during Advent."

However, the incident shocked everyone: "The priest had been with us for 15 years and everyone knew about his problems. Unfortunately, he broke a time-out ordered by the diocese." She is particularly sorry for the children, says Karelly: "They had to witness everything, but are now being looked after in an exemplary manner by the religious education teacher."