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Gill said the female reader was stunned by the two punches to the face as she was leaving the church sanctuary, but suffered no serious physical injury.
The suspected assailant walked out of the church after it happened. She was later arrested by police, but the district attorney’s office has deferred prosecution at this time.
Gill said after a meeting with 9th District Philadelphia police officers and cathedral staff, new protective measures will be put into place.
“Which will include on Sundays, the presence of police,” Gill explained. “Which will include the training by the police of our own internal security staff. A refinement of how we react or respond when something does happen.”
Gill said what troubled him was this past Sunday’s incident happened so fast and all who were present just froze. He said he wanted to know why.
“They expressed fear,” Gill said. “They expressed COVID issues. They expressed the fear of someone possibly having a knife or a weapon.
Gill said Sunday’s incident showed him it was time to step up with enhanced measures to protect worshippers, priests and ministers assisting them.