Catholic bishop floored by punch while saying prayers in New Jersey cathedral

Priest needs two stitches in lip after attack

A Catholic bishop was punched to the ground while saying prayers in a cathedral in Newark, New Jersey.

Video footage shows Rev. Manuel A. Cruz reading out a prayer at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart as a congregation member, Charles Miller, approaches him and allegedly swings a punch at the auxiliary bishop.

48-year-old Newark resident Mr. Miller appears to make firm contact with Rev Cruz, sending him backward and hitting the floor, to audible screams from onlookers.

Police officers were following Mr. Miller as he approached Rev Cruz and quickly detained the suspect once he had struck the auxiliary bishop.

As Mr. Miller is caught by officers, Rev Cruz is seen on the floor clutching an acolyte for protection, who was previously holding the prayer book from which Rev Cruz had been reading.

While it is not clear from the footage where Mr. Miller made contact with Rev Cruz, the bishop needed two stitches in his lip.

The clergyman had been opening the prayers for a celebration of the life of baseball player Roberto Clemente in the Basilica, the fifth largest cathedral in North America.

Mr. Miller was arrested for assault, but has no criminal history.