Belgium (Monday, August 1, 2016, Gaudium Press) Fr Jos Vanderlee, 65, was rushed to hospital following the attack, but his condition is not thought to be critical

A priest in Belgium was stabbed, after letting an asylum seeker into his home to use his shower, according to reports.

Fr Jos Vanderlee, 65, who has been named locally as the victim of the attack, was rushed to hospital following the attack, which happened at around 2.40pm local time. His condition is not thought to be critical.

Prosecutors have said the attack, which occurred in Lanaken, is not related to terrorism and police are looking for witnesses.

Fr Vanderlee celebrated his 40th anniversary as a priest in July and is responsible for eight local parishes.

The assailant went to the priest’s house and asked if he could use his shower, stating that he planned to apply for asylum in the country, according to a report in Belgian newspaper Nieuwsblad.

After being allowed on the premises, the suspect demanded money from Fr Vanderlee, lunging at him and injuring the priest’s hands. He then fled the scene.

The Mayor of Lanaken, Marino Keulen, said: “Despite the fact that we are shocked, we must stress that this incident cannot be linked to terrorist acts at this stage of the investigation.”

Source Catholic Herald