In USA, man sentenced to 60 years for targeting pastor during service
The moment of the attack on the pastor during a church service in Pennsylvania. Photo: a screenshot of apnews video
A citizen of the USA, Bernard Polite, has been sentenced to a prison term of up to 60 years following a harrowing incident in May 2024, when he pulled a gun on a pastor during a church service in Pennsylvania, which caused a wide public outcry, writes premierchristian.news.
During the Sunday sermon at the Dwelling Place Church, Polite entered the hall and pointed a gun at Pastor Glenn Germani. According to authorities, the man, who attempted to shoot the pastor because "spirits got into his head," was stopped when his gun failed to fire.
The attack was recorded on video: the pastor managed to dodge to the side, and a church deacon along with the pastor disarmed the attacker before the police arrived.
It was later revealed that before the attack, Polite had shot his cousin. In court, he pleaded guilty and claimed to have mental disorders.
For the totality of the crimes, he was sentenced to up to 60 years of imprisonment.
As reported, in the USA, a pastor avoided death during a sermon when a bullet got stuck in the gun. Germani stated that his salvation was related to the sermon he was delivering.
Read also
UOC clergy deliver aid to frontline monasteries and parishes
Clergy of the Kyiv Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church delivered aid to frontline monasteries and parishes that provide daily support to refugees and the needy.
Vinnytsia region bans religious processions and pilgrimages until December
Vinnytsia’s Defense Council has imposed strict restrictions on believers ahead of the Easter holidays.
Nicaraguan authorities release 1,200 prisoners for Holy Week
In Nicaragua, more than a thousand inmates were released from prison during Holy Week and sent home under a “family cohabitation” regime, with an appeal to begin a “new life.”
Roman Catholics launch petition for return of historic building in Odesa
The Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine says there is a risk of losing the building and is urging people to support a petition calling for the return of a historic seminary property in Odesa to the Catholic community.
Fire breaks out near Holy Trinity Church in Kharkiv after shelling
A large fire broke out near the Holy Trinity Church in Kharkiv following a strike by Russian forces, while the church itself, according to the eparchy, was not damaged.
Media: Canadian clinics offer elderly patients euthanasia instead of treatment
An 84-year-old Catholic woman in Canada says she was offered euthanasia instead of treatment for a non-terminal condition. She refused, as her husband had done before her.