Priest will pray

By Callan Date
A DOVETON priest thought he was going to die when a burglar savagely attacked him in his presbytery last week.
Father Michael Shadbolt suffered injuries to his cheek and eye after the brutal confrontation with his attacker last Thursday morning at the Holy Family Parish.
The 67-year-old had just finished conducting Mass shortly before 9am when he disrupted the intruder.
“I could hear some noise in the kitchen and I went to have a look at what was going on.
“He then slammed me against the wall and started bashing me. That’s when I thought he was going to kill me,” Father Shadbolt said.
He grappled with the intruder, which resulted in the burglar losing some of his loot.
“He had the digital projector but he dropped it. He then started hitting me over the head with the bag of money he had,” he said.
Police said the man stole about $140 – money donated to the church and due to be spent on charitable causes.
Courageously, Father Shadbolt continued with his duties and conducted his next scheduled Mass only hours after the attack. “Some people wanted me to go to hospital but I thought I was well enough to continue on.”
Father Shadbolt said he would be quick to forgive his attacker and had no feelings of animosity towards the man. “I will pray for him, but I would probably redirect him to another father to take his confession,” he said.
Narre Warren Detective Senior Constable Andrew Smart said police were confident they would catch the attacker. “There are a few local boys that we are looking into at the moment,” Det Sen Con Smart said.
The attacker is described as being about 188cm, unshaven with shoulder length brown hair and of slim build. He was thought to be wearing a white t-shirt and dark pants.
Police ask anyone with information to contact Narre Warren CIU on 9705 3111 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.