Attack at rectory represents “turning point” in faith, says Philadelphia priest and Detroit Catholic

PHILADELPHIA (OSV News) – A Philadelphia priest who was attacked in his rectory said the attack was a “turning point” that forced him to “think deeply about life, faith and the forces of evil” – as well as justice and mercy .

On October 2, Father Andrawos El-Tabchi, a Maronite Catholic priest, was attacked in his rectory across from St. Maron Maronite Catholic Church in Philadelphia.

Police reported that the suspect approached the priest’s home shortly before 9:30 a.m. and began kicking and banging on the door before forcing his way inside. In the rectory, the man physically attacked Father El-Tabchi before fleeing.

Local media reported that the priest used a cane to help him walk after the incident.

The Philadelphia Police Department told OSV News that the suspect – described in the police report as a Middle Eastern man with gray hair and a stocky build – attacked Father El-Tabchi “by punching and slapping him” and then after Westen ran after being pushed out of the rectory. The incident remains under investigation and police told OSV News that no arrests have been made as of October 8.

Father El-Tabchi declined to speak to OSV News by phone, saying in an email that he “tried to stay away from the phone as much as possible” after the attack.

However, Father El-Tabchi shared with OSV News an Oct. 5 letter he wrote to parishioners after the attack, in which the priest relied on various Bible passages to place the traumatic experience in the context of faith.

“The morning the rectory was attacked was a turning point for me, forcing me to think deeply about life, faith and the forces of evil,” Father El-Tabchi wrote. “This experience reminded me how short life is and how evil can be lurking just around the corner, ready to attack at any time.”

But “the attack only strengthened my resolve to protect the community and advocate for the safety of each and every one of my community members,” he said. “This is my duty and I will not hesitate to defend the sacred space we all cherish.”

Father El-Tabchi referred to Christ’s parable of the faithful servant (Mt 24:45-51), noting that “as priests we are called to be faithful and wise servants, always vigilant and ready to protect the people of God and to serve him.” .

“The attack on the rectory brought this to life for me as I felt the weight of my responsibility to care for this parish family,” he said. “Just as the servant must remain vigilant and diligent, so we must remain steadfast in our duty, protecting the faith and the souls entrusted to our care.”

He also quoted the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, in which he warned: “The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”

“We do not know when challenges will arise, but as children of light we must always be prepared,” Father El-Tabchi said, referring to St. Paul’s call for believers to “put on the breastplate of faith and love and for “a helmet the hope of salvation” (1 Thess 5:8).

“This is the armor we must wear when we face evil and hardship,” Father El-Tabchi said. “With faith and love as our protection and hope as our guide, we are strengthened to fulfill our mission as faithful servants.”

At the same time, the priest said, “this means not only standing firm in the face of evil, but also showing mercy and compassion in response to wrongdoing.”

“Many have asked me: ‘You are a priest, how can you press charges against the man who broke into the house and attacked you?'” Father El-Tabchi said. “My answer is based on the truth that God is both merciful and just. His mercy extends to all, offering forgiveness and compassion to those who seek it, while his justice ensures that truth and righteousness prevail. These two qualities work in harmony and remind us that through his love we are called to repentance, reconciliation and trust in his perfect judgment.”

He stated that “mercy without justice is dead, and justice without mercy is reckless.”

“In God we see the perfect balance of both. He teaches us to live with compassion while upholding what is right and just,” Father El-Tabchi said. “We are invited, as Jesus teaches us, to be like our Heavenly Father – merciful and just – and to reflect his love in both our actions and our decisions. The pursuit of justice does not negate mercy; it enables us to act with integrity and trust in God’s divine plan for healing and accountability.”

Christians “are called to embody the love of Christ in the face of evil and adversity,” Father El-Tabchi said. “While justice should be served, we are invited to show mercy and love.”

By remembering that “every person is created in the image and likeness of God and is worthy of being treated as such,” believers can recognize each individual’s “ability or inner conscience to make decisions—whether good or bad,” he said. “As children of God, we should strive to be tolerant of those people who make inappropriate decisions that negatively impact others. They need God’s help. You need our help. Therefore, we are invited to pray for the one who committed this act and reflect the love of Christ, even in the face of darkness.”

Father El-Tabchi also emphasized St. Paul’s call to “bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal 6:2).

“Jesus calls us to be agents of love, mercy, compassion and forgiveness,” Father El-Tabchi said. “We cannot say one thing in the church and live the opposite outside its walls. Our faith must be real, consistent and transformative in every aspect of our lives.”

He concluded his letter by asking his parishioners to “pray for and forgive the lost soul who committed this act.”

“This is the core of the Gospel message – to love and forgive, even in the face of injustice or harm,” Father El-Tabchi said. “Just as Christ forgives us, we must extend that same mercy to others. Through prayer and forgiveness we demonstrate the true strength of our faith.”