Bishop Attacked During Mass in NJ

A Cuban Catholic Bishop from the Archdiocese of Newark, Bishop Manuel A. Cruz was attacked while celebrating Mass in honor of Puerto Rican great, the late Pirates baseball player Roberto Clemente. A 48 year old man, Charles Miller, wearing a red suit with a white robe over it and a fedora walked up to the altar and sucker punched

Bishop Cruz forcing him to fall backwards on the altar due to the force.  The bishop has some injuries including loose teeth.  Those present were in shock as Essex Country police apprehended the man.

Please keep the bishop in your prayers as well as the attacker Charles Miller. We are Catholics and are called to forgive and pray for our enemies. May God have mercy on him.

UPDATE 1/29/17:

The bishop is doing fine despite having stitches on his lip and loosened teeth, according to reports. He celebrated Mass today.  His attacker had no prior arrest record, but was charged with aggravated assault.


UPDATE 1/3017

Here is video of the attack and the image of the attacker:

UPDATE: February 2, 2017
Bishop Cruz's attacker, Charles Miller pleaded not guilty in court and claimed to be a bishop/reverend as well.  He also said he was Jesus Christ and punched the bishop out of retaliation for the Catholic Church's involvement in police brutality.  Miller believes that Catholic Church is responsible for black people being killed by the police.  He even crushed the pope saying, "The pope is the (expletive faith, that's why I bust him in his (expletive face." Miller asked to use the Bible as evidence and even said he has psychiatric issues. The court is seeking an evaluation of Charles Miller.  Here is Miller's Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100013000932257

Source:

https://www.tapinto.net/towns/newark/articles/auxiliary-catholic-bishop-of-newark-assaulted-dur?utm_content=buffer7aeb5&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2017/01/auxiliary_bishop_assaulted_at_newark_basilica.html

http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2017/01/bishop_addresses_congregation_after_attacke.html#incart_river_index

https://www.yahoo.com/news/m/b2901e61-e9c3-3a32-b47a-9227a7448104/auxiliary-catholic-bishop.html

https://www.yahoo.com/news/m/15dc8129-36fb-34ff-a242-30fa410a7fea/ss_catholic-bishop-attacked-on.html

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2017/01/29/Auxiliary-Catholic-bishop-punched-in-the-face-during-mass-in-New-Jersey/3361485691090

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Bishop-Punched-Mass-Newark-Rev-Manuel-Cruz-412064913.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/man-punches-auxiliary-bishop-mass-newark-church-article-1.2958820

UPDATED Source:

http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2017/01/reverend_accused_of_punching_priest_ordered_jailed.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/charles-miller-pleads-not-guilty-in-attack-on-bishop-manuel-cruz-during-newark-mass/

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jan/31/man-accused-of-punching-auxiliary-bishop-pleads-no/

http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2017/02/in_courtroom_admission_man_says_he_punched_bishop.html

http://www.northjersey.com/story/news/crime/2017/02/02/evaluation-sought-newark-man-charged-assault-bishop/97397278/