Kamloops Bishop David Monroe, 69, has been removed from the Intensive Care Unit of Kamloops Royal Inland Hospital, where he continues to recover after being viciously beaten at Sacred Heart Cathedral Friday night.
Father Vincent Asomugha said Sunday morning that Bishop Monroe remains in intensive care in a "step-down unit."
There is no indication when the bishop will be leaving the hospital.
The attack in the cathedral rectory took place about 10:15 p.m., and Kamloops RCMP arrested a 30-year-old man several hours later. He will appear in court Monday to face assault-related charges.
The man is believed to be suffering from mental health issues and is not thought to have any connection with the Catholic Church, a police spokesman said.
According to police an unknown man wearing dark clothing forcibly entered the rectory of Sacred Heart Cathedral.
He was confronted by Bishop Monroe, who was beaten badly with a blunt object police believe the man picked up inside the rectory.
Another priest, Father Vincent Asomugha, heard the commotion and came to help but apparently fell and dislocated a shoulder. He was treated and released from hospital.
Assistant Father Derek Cameron was outside the building, heard the yelling and called 911.
Police responded with dogs, helicopter and the Serious Crimes Unit, following a trail of blood, said Sgt. Scott Wilson.
The trail and the search ended temporarily at the Thomson River, where police believe the suspect swam to the north shore.
Police found the Kamloops man at about 1 a.m. hiding in a shed on his father’s property at G&M Trailer Park.
Investigators said the suspect’s family was extremely co-operative, according to media reports.
Earlier in the evening, family members had taken the suspect to the hospital over concerns that he was experiencing a psychotic episode.
The suspect smashed a window at about 8:50 p.m. and left the hospital, said Sgt. Wilson. The cathedral is a short distance from the hospital.
Msgr. Jerry Desmond, vicar general of the Kamloops Diocese and pastor of Our Lady of the Mountains Parish in Whistler, happened to be in town for his niece’s wedding the next day, which Bishop Monroe had been scheduled to participate in.
The wedding went ahead with Msgr. Desmond performing the ceremony.
Msgr. Desmond said he was called Friday night by Father Cameron who told him about the attack.
Msgr. Desmond said he visited the bishop, who was in bad shape, and anointed him.
Bishop Monroe was scheduled to attend the annual plenary meeting of Canadian bishops in
Cornwall, Ont., this week.
Instead he will be recovering from the attack.
SIC: BC/CAN
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