Birmingham Catholic priest assaulted, hospitalized in critical condition

The Rev. Emmanuel Isi, associate pastor of St. Paul’s Cathedral, shown here during morning Mass on Ash Wednesday, is in critical condition after an assault. (The Birmingham News / Michelle Campbell)

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — A Catholic priest on the staff of the downtown cathedral was assaulted on Wednesday and remains hospitalized in critical condition, officials said.

The Rev. Emmanuel Isi, associate pastor at St. Paul’s Cathedral, was injured on Wednesday afternoon, according to officials with the Catholic Diocese of Birmingham.

No further details on the incident, including location, were available, said Frank Savage, spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Birmingham.

Isi is in critical condition at UAB Hospital, a hospital spokesperson said.

The cathedral has been planning to honor Isi on the 25th anniversary of his ordination in the 11 a.m. Mass on Sunday. Isi is originally from Nigeria, Savage said.

The diocese released the following statement today:

“On the afternoon of Wednesday, August 17, Father Emmanuel Isi, M.S.P., sustained serious injuries in an incident involving another individual. While these injuries are not life-threatening, they are nonetheless grave, and he remains hospitalized at this time. Because we do not have permission from Fr. Isi to publically discuss the status of his health, that is all that we can share with you at this time. If we are able to update you further, we will certainly do so. Until that time, we would ask for your prayers for Fr. Isi and for his recovery. For the time being, he really should not receive visitors, and we would ask that you respect his privacy as well.

We are still trying to determine what exactly happened that afternoon. If we receive more accurate and complete information, we will certainly share with you what we can.

Again, in the meantime, please remember Fr. Isi in your daily prayers,

Diocese of Birmingham”