Florida priest hospitalized after stabbing attack; suspect in custody
[Episcopal News Service] The rector of an Episcopal church in St. Augustine, Florida, was the victim of a stabbing attack Oct. 23 that has left him hospitalized, the Diocese of Florida said in a written statement on the attack.
The Rev. Matt Marino, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, was having coffee in the city’s downtown neighborhood when “a random assailant” stabbed him, the diocese said. There was no initial indication of a possible motive behind the attack.
The Rev. Matt Marino has served as rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in St. Augustine, Florida, since 2019. Photo: Trinity Episcopal Church
Marino was taken to a hospital, where he was reported to be in stable condition and awake. A suspect has been arrested, the diocese said.
The stabbing occurred around 8 a.m., according to WJXT-TV, which identified the suspect as a 22-year-old woman.
Another local report, by WJAX-TV, said Marino was attacked outside Coffee House Realty Cafe, less than a mile north of his church. The suspect reportedly passed by the cafe on a bike, turned around and then pulled a knife on the priest.
“Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the skilled work of the paramedics and law enforcement officers who cared for Fr. Matt, and for the doctors and nurses who are currently caring for him,” the standing committee said in the diocesan announcement. “We are actively monitoring the situation and will provide updates as they become available. Please keep Fr. Matt, his family, and the entire Trinity St. Augustine community in your prayers.”
Trinity typically draws about 450 worshipers to its three Sunday services, filling its historic downtown St. Augustine building and its parking lot nearly to capacity, Marino told Episcopal News Service last year for a September 2023 story about the congregation’s expansion beyond the city.
Marino and other church leaders have been working on launching and growing a second campus about a half hour north in what historically has been a more rural part of St. Johns County.
“We just think that what we have to offer as The Episcopal Church is really of value,” Marino said at the time.
