LAKEWOOD, Wash. — A viral video shows a man disrupting Sunday mass at St. Frances Cabrini Parish in Lakewood before getting into a physical confrontation at the altar.
A lieutenant with the Lakewood Police Department said the incident occurred Oct. 24 shortly before noon. The man was previously served a notice of trespass Oct. 11, when he was notified he’d be arrested for returning to the property.
The man was arrested and booked into jail for trespassing on Oct. 24.
The church declined to comment on the incident.
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The church’s pastor, Father Paul Brunet, wrote a letter to worshippers explaining the incident.
“The events leading up to this unfortunate incident began last month,” Brunet writes. “After an initial pastoral appointment with (name redacted), his behavior has worsened and become less predictable. He has engaged in a course of abusive and threatening conduct, directed not just at me but towards the parish and school staff. Under the circumstances, the parish and school had no other choice but to obtain a ‘No Trespass’ order from the Lakewood Police Department against (name redacted). He chose to disregard this order when he appeared at Mass yesterday.”
“The safety of the children, parishioners and staff are our top priority. The parish and school are working closely with the Lakewood Police department, the Lakewood City Attorney and private security to maintain extra safety precautions,” the letter continues. “Please join me in praying for all who were involved in or witnessed this incident and be assured of my prayers for all of you.”
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