The Rev. Matthew Marino, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in St. Augustine, Florida, described the Oct. 23 stabbing that left him badly injured in a video interview with Jacksonville-based First Coast News.
Marino recounted how he and a friend were seated outside Coffee House Realty Café, waiting for it to open, when a woman walked by and said, “I have problems.” Seeking to be pastoral, he leaned forward and said, “Tell me your story,” and she then stuck a knife into his chest.
“I just looked down and said,
“. . . It reminded me of The Lord of the Rings when Gollum sees his precious (the One Ring to Rule Them All). And so, I had stood up at that poi
Marino said he initially thought he wasn’t badly injured but soon realized he was bleeding. He lay down on the ground, noted how gray the sky was, and thought, “This is a really weird way to die. I have a lot of important meetings today.”
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A police report indicated Marino was stabbed below his left collarbone, puncturing his lung. He was taken to the hospital for treatment and was released on Oct. 29.
When asked if he had forgiven the assailant, Marino replied, “How could I not forgive her?”
“Christianity is: you are forgiven through the love of Jesus,” said the Episcopal priest. “I’ve been forgiven so much. How could I not extend that forgiveness?”
Arieana R. Gibbs, 22, was arrested and charged with three felonies: attempted homicide, aggravated assault and battery. She pleaded not guilty in a Nov. 7 arraignment.
Marino also alluded to consequences that his assailant will face. “The law is gonna do what the law is gonna do,” he said. “And it’s gonna make sure that that society is safe and hopefully get her help.”
This article originally appeared at Episcopal News Service.
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6 Responses
At a time when so many Christian leaders are behaving badly, I am grateful that Matthew has had such beautiful grace and love in his response to a horrific experience. Praying for his recovery and for his perpetrator’s repentance and forgiveness.
Matt Marino is a long ago ministry friend of mine, and is a truly decent fellow. Was then, still is. He’s the real deal.
Much like the story of the missionary wife who supposedly had her husband killed, this story seems unrealistic. Something is off. Why would a 22 year old woman pick this particular priest to kill on a nice morning with all those witnesses watching? Her words, “Now I’m going to finish you off” tell a story we’ve yet to hear (hopefully, she gets to tell it). What had this man done to her in the past to make her need to take such a vengful stance now? Someone please dig deeper! May God bring hidden things to light.
Marino is a good dude. I know him personally. Even so, if there’s anything suspect about this, I, too, pray it comes to light.
I’ve noticed that every time you post about one of these stories something is “hidden.” The Angola story might be contrived since Angola’s human rights record is pretty messed up but there is nothing hidden about someone with a mental illness just suddenly knifing someone. It isn’t that unusual. You automatically assume the priest did something to her and that’s why she stabbed him. There is no reason to assume that unless she said something during the attack to indicate that. Every event does not have some hidden conspiracy in it.
Only thing that would make Rev. Matt Marino more impressive was if he were related to QB Dan Marino.
I jest, of course.