A South Texas Roman Catholic priest hospitalized after being beaten, kicked and stabbed by a parishioner remains in a Corpus Christi hospital in stable condition.
A spokesman for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Corpus Christi said the Rev. Shaji F. Varghese is breathing through a tube in his throat.
Diocesan spokesman Marty Wind said the priest is administrator of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Sinton. He said the priest is conscious and aware of his surroundings at Christus Spohn Memorial Hospital in Corpus Christi, where he's been since the Friday attack.
Corpus Christi Bishop Edmond Carmody tells the Corpus Christi Caller-Times that Varghese's wounds weren't as deep as had been anticipated, but the priest still has "a long road ahead."
David Rodriguez remains in San Patricio County Jail in Sinton, charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and tampering with evidence. The Caller-Times reported that Rodriguez had previously told other parishioners that he needed help and that "demons" would fight with him.
