DRAMATIC SCENE.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 August 1922, Page 5

DRAMATIC SCENE.

TRAGIC INCIDENT IN CATHEDRAL. MANI STABS HIMSELF. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—-Copyright. Received July 31, 5.5 p.m. New York, July 30. A dramatic and tragic incident- occurred in the famous St. Patrick’s Cathedral at New York during low mass celebrations. The vast congregation was kneeling in prayer, when, from amidst the communicants, rose noisily a man who previously had been muttering. He was barefooted, wearing only trousers and a sleeveless shirt, and in his hand he brandished a huge knife. Then, from a- slit in the throat and a gash in the chest, all self-inflicted, blood coursed down, and he rushed to the altar, and speaking in broken English, with a thick German accent, he offered himself to the priest as human sacrifice, and said he wished to fill the chalice with his own blood. Father Daly, who was celebrating mass, calmed the man. An ambulance was called and he was taken to hospital. He will probably die. The man had for a year past sent priests religious rhapsodies written in his own blood.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.