Priest, parish worker stabbed at Phoenix church
Crosier Father Tim Conlon, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, and a parish worker named Annie Conway were stabbed the morning of April 15 morning outside the south Phoenix church.
Both were taken to Maricopa County Medical Center, where they were listed in stable condition.
Later that day police arrested Carlos Miguel Manriquez, 50, on suspicion of stabbing the priest and Conway. He was being held on $500,000 bond and news reports said he could face charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
“Our deep concern and prayers are with the parish worker and our confrere,” said Crosier Father Tom Carkhuff, prior provincial of the order’s U.S. province, in a report from Catholic News Service. “This is very sad news when these people or anyone becomes a victim of any violence. Be assured that we also pray for the person who attacked the parish worker and Father Conlon.”
Prior to his appointment as pastor, Father Conlon was vicar for Hispanic affairs for the Diocese of Phoenix. He serves as the national director of the Crosier Campaign, which is raising funds to build a new campus for the Phoenix Crosiers.
Father Conlon joined the Crosier Fathers and Brothers 40 years ago and was ordained a priest in 1979. He has served in college, hospital, retreat and parish ministries in Nebraska, New York and Arizona. He has been assigned to Phoenix since 2000.
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