BXTRA ORDINARY PROCREDINGS IN A CATHOLIC CHURCH.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VIII, Issue 2021, 16 April 1875, Page 3

BXTRA ORDINARY PROCREDINGS IN A CATHOLIC CHURCH.

One of the most unprovoked and reprehensible affairs that Lave occurred in our midst for years, occurred at a Catholic Chapel on Emerald Hill, on Suuday, the 14th ultimo, and came on for hearing at the Emerald Hill Police Court. It appears that a young man named Henwood went to the Soman Catholic Chapel, Emerald Hill, on Sunday, tho 14th of last month, in company with a young lady. The young lady took a seat forward in the chapel, and, as there was not room there for Henwood, he tonk his place in a pew at the part of the chapel nearest the door. About the time when* the service was half over, a hoy was seen standing during prayers immediately in front of Henwood, while everyone else in the chapel was kneeling. H cnwoed took no notice until he observed the priestFather O'Callagfian—walking down to the boy, and saw him strike the boy over the head and make him kneel down. Henwood was then kneeling down, with his elbow resting on the pew desk, and his chin resting on his hand. He was in this position when tho priest reached over and struck him on tho head two or three times. He was greatly astonished at this conduct, and immediately left his seat and made his way to the door, and just as he was about to go into the street Father O'Callaghan caught him by tho collar, and struck him over tho head - and face with his clenched fist. Henwood, not wishing to disturb the congregation, tried to pull himself away, but got beaten tho more. Father O'Callaghan continued his assault, until some passers by interfered and released Henwood .from his grasp, cijt, bruised, and his clothes completely saturated with blood, Henwood then went home, and sent his father to Father O'Callaghan for an explanation, but he only succeeded in getting the answer, that "If you had been there I would have served you in a like manner. I would have —." On the witness being called for the prosecution this morning, who had seen the assault outside the chapel, Father O' 1 allaghan said to him, "Now, young blackguard, for what purpose were you at my chapel P" A3 r Head appealed to their Worships, and Father O'Callaghan was made to retract the words and apologise at once. By reliable witnesses the prosecution proved the case, and on Father O'Callaghan being called on for a defence he admitted assaulting Henwood as stated, but said that he was justified, inasmuch as the plaintiff was putting out his foot to trip up young ladies as they passed. This statement was uncorroborated, and point • blank denied by the plaintiff, who is a very respectable young man, the son of a stevedore at Kmerald Hill. The Bench thought that it was a most unprovoked and" unlawful assault, and inflicted a fine of £5, with £3 3s costs. Father O'Callaghan stoutly refused to pay, and said he would go to gaol first. He was at once arrested and consigned to gaol for one month.— Melbourne paper.