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Man dies in fight with priest

Row between separated couple over property turns deadly as pastor intervenes
Man dies in fight with priest
Published: August 29, 2011 10:16 AM GMT
Updated: August 29, 2011 10:53 AM GMT

A 46-year-old parish priest in northeastern Heilongjiang province has been was arrested for allegedly killing a man during a fight on Friday evening. Father Shang Kanfa of Harbin diocese is accused of killing the ex-husband of a parish leader surnamed Gao, Church sources said. The incident took place at the reconstruction site of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Hailun city and was witnessed by many people, according to sources. They said that Gao’s former husband, surnamed Wang, had turned up at the church armed with a screwdriver looking for his ex-wife. Wang, who appeared to be drunk, confronted her in the priest’s office and demanded the return of the former marital home and other property. Gao refused his demands sparking a heated argument. Hearing the row Fr Shang returned to his office and tried to intervene. According to the sources a fight broke out in the office between the two men which soon spilled out into the church prompting several people to try and separate them. They said Wang shoved Fr Shang to the ground during the confusion. Fr Shang then grabbed a tool left lying about, got up and struck Wang on the head, knocking him unconscious. Fr Shang immediately called the police and drove Wang to a hospital, where he died a short time after, they added. Church officials have hired a lawyer for Fr Shang, the sources said.

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