A Catholic bishop from Kamloops, B.C., who was brutally beaten in his church's rectory and hospitalized for almost two months has forgiven the man who attacked him.
David Monroe was rushed to hospital in serious condition on Oct. 22 after being assaulted by a man who forced his way into the Sacred Heart Cathedral's rectory.
The 69-year-old was discharged from Royal Inland Hospital just last week, prompting his five sisters to release a statement thanking God for an "early Christmas gift."
Speaking to CHNL radio in Kamloops on Christmas Eve, Monroe said his faith had allowed him to forgive his assailant. "We are to forgive, that's the important thing in our life – all of our lives," Monroe told CHNL.
"The basic thing is that God loves everyone, and I want to grow in that love, too."
Monroe suffered severe trauma to his face and head in the assault as well as bruises and cuts to other parts of his body. Police say he was beaten with an unidentified object before his attacker fled the scene, leaving a trail of blood behind him.
A 30-year-old man was found in a shed at a local trailer park and arrested shortly after. John Bandura has been charged with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and mischief.
