On Tuesday night, Washington Church services were interrupted, and a man raided the altar and tried to beat the pastor.
Livestream footage shows the moment when Joshua James Somers ran towards the Rev. David Gaines.
Gaines was able to deflect the attack for the majority, but he got some hits.
The priest attacked at the Spokane Catholic Church in downtown. (Facebook/Our Virgin Lourdes Cathedral)
The pastor, who urged Trump to “have mercy,” says his criticism of her was “respect.”
“I've been called athletic, all sorts of things I've never been called before, but in a happy way,” Gaines told Fox News Digital in an interview Friday.
He had no memory of initial evasion, but he said he was hit by a subsequent punch on his left side.
“He fell to the ground and I don't know why I was doing this, but I was helping him, so he started shaking again with his left hand,” Gaines said. “I remember his left fist coming for my face and knocking it down multiple times.”
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Gaines, who was a priest for 10 and a half years, said he had never experienced such violence within the church.
Still, he remained peaceful.
In the video footage, Gaines can be heard saying “That's fine” during the attack and asking Somers to settle down.
The priest attacked at the Spokane Catholic Church in downtown. (Facebook/Our Virgin Lourdes Cathedral)
“To be honest, I don't know where it came from. I can probably say the Holy Spirit,” he said. “I've never seen this guy in my life, so I thought there was a kind of mental illness.”
Just seconds after Somers was escorted from the church, the congregation joined him in prayer.
Somers was not a member of the church, but was brought to his mother and son, who found him living on the streets.
Gaines said he was later informed by authorities that Somers was suffering from schizophrenia.
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“They came to me after the service and brought him straight away, so they apologized immediately,” Gaines said. “It was really cold because there was the first big snow here, so they brought him to this healing novelna, hoping to help him.”
Despite everything that happened, Gaines is still happy that Somers has been brought to worship.
Somers sat in peace almost an hour before the explosion.
The priest attacked at the Spokane Catholic Church in downtown. (Facebook/Our Virgin Lourdes Cathedral)
“I am grateful that they brought him in God's providence,” Gaines said. “Now he comes to healing novelna and now he has many prayers. … God's promises will make everything happen. He will not make evil things happen, but he will salvation our salvation. For him, he will make bad things happen for his greater glory, for the salvation of the soul, and hopefully for Josh's salvation.”
Gaines sought ongoing prayers from Somers, who is now criminally charged in connection with the case.
“In God's great mystery and plan, I am confident that God will do something good for Josh for our community and help us grow healing.” He said. “Pray for Josh. [We need to] Love the sick person as Christ commands. Part of that love is to pray and sacrifice to him. ”
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Somers is charged with third-degree assault, fourth-degree assault and fourth-degree attempts assault, court records show.
