Melkite Greek Catholic priest in Miami, Florida, says homeless man repeatedly threatened him and came to church with sword

The priest of Saint Jude Melkite Greek Catholic Church in Brickell said he is deeply concerned after a homeless man repeatedly threatened to harm him and came to the church with a sword.

Rev. Ezzat Bathouche said the man had been sleeping in the vicinity of the church for two months. He then began to behave violently toward people. When he was told he could not be on the property, he became more furious and aggressive.

Surveillance video showed police taking the man into custody. Bathouche said the man later returned and came to the church armed with a sword.

Bathouche described the scene at the parking lot. “I saw the parking lot filled with stones,” he said. “He was throwing stones at the street, on the cars, so I told him he has to stop and leave, but he just started laughing.”

Bathouche said the church made five calls to police, and the man was Baker Acted at one point.

Bathouche said he wants to help the man but does not believe that task belongs to him. “I’m a priest at the end of the day, and my job is to help people. I really want to help him, but it’s not my duty,” he said. “It’s not my profession. I’m going to pray for him, but we need an institute to intervene, to help him with his mental problems.”

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