It must be the Irish-American pioneer spirit that inspires trad Bishops to fight?In England... they just call on the unarmed Bobbies.The Most Rev. Patrick Craig Taylor, Superior General, Society of the Virgin Mary,
went to see his Lord and Savior on November 8th, 2018.
Police: 60-year-old local Catholic bishop fought burglary suspect - Amelia A. Pridemore
- Feb 23, 2009
A burglary suspect allegedly kicked in a Roman Catholic church’s door — and found an armed 60-year-old bishop who fought back, Beckley Police said.
Christopher Bonham, 40, of Glen White, is charged with one count of burglary and two counts of breaking and entering (automobiles), said Capt. Wes Bowden, shift supervisor for the Beckley Police Department. Bonham is being held in Southern Regional Jail in lieu of $10,000 bond.
At 7:42 p.m. Sunday, Beckley Police received an intruder call from St. Basil’s Catholic Church, located at 116 Sunrise Ave. Bishop Patrick Taylor, 60 years old and the church’s live-in pastor, said a man later identified as Bonham was removing items from Taylor’s pickup truck parked outside.
Then, Bonham kicked in the church’s door, entered the church — and was confronted by Taylor, Bowden said. In self-defense, Taylor pulled out a pistol, and the two men began struggling. Taylor later told officers he was trying to hold Bonham there until police arrived.
During the struggle, Taylor struck Bonham in the head, and Bonham fled the church toward the Pagoda Motel, Bowden said.
At the scene, police discovered an air compressor missing from Taylor’s truck, and a tool box was lying on the ground beside it, Bowden said. The air compressor was later recovered near Pagoda.
Around 8 p.m., police found Bonham near a Jeep Cherokee with the window broken, Bowden said. This vehicle, which was reportedly ransacked with items from it scattered on the ground, was apparently located near Pagoda, as well. Taylor positively identified Bonham as the man who had been inside the church. Bonham was taken into custody.
— E-mail:
apridemore@register-herald.com