Strangulation attack inside Sarnia church sparks security review

A Sarnia church community is pledging to review security procedures after a parishioner was strangled while praying.

The incident happened Saturday inside the Adoration Chapel at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church - the chapel is available 24 hours a day for those who know the door code to enter.

It is the process a parishioner followed around 7 p.m. that evening

A short time later, while kneeling in prayer, a male assailant allegedly attacked him.

“The individual actually put a rope or belt behind his neck and started to strangle him,” Sarnia Deputy Chief Ron Hansen told CTV News.

Sarnia deputy police chief Ron Hansen, Jan. 6, 2025 (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)

A struggle for survival ensued amidst a backdrop of saints. Fortunately, the parishioner managed to fight his way to safety and escaped.

He suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and the assailant fled before officers arrived.

Police say he attempted to destroy security cameras on his way out.

Later, police were able to identify him using video. A brief search ended when the suspect turned up at a nearby OPP station.

The Adoration Chapel at Our Lady of Mercy where an alleged strangulation attempt occurred, Jan. 6, 2025 (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)

The 38-year-old Sarnia man now faces four counts, including assault causing bodily harm for choking, suffocating, or strangling.

Church officials believe the alleged attacker may have known the code to get in.

“Someone came in, who does have an access code. This person has gone in, quite frequently as a parishioner to pray,” said Annie Ferrera of the Sarnia Bluewater Family of Catholic Parishes.

In the wake of the attack, security protocols are being reviewed in the hope all-day access to prayer can continue.

The Adoration Chapel at Our Lady of Mercy where an alleged strangulation attempt occurred, Jan. 6, 2025 (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)

Of course, our priority is to keep our parishioners safe at all times,” Ferrera said.

“This has never happened before. The Adoration Chapel has been at this location for over 18 years, and we've never had any incident that we're aware of.”

“This is another incident of, you know, of a stranger being assaulted. We had one recently at a McDonald's where an individual was assaulted while they were sleeping. So, this is troubling for us", said Deputy Chief Hansen.

At the same time, the church and police want the public to know it is safe to pray.

“I'm sure it's very traumatic for the individual who was the victim here. But again, the church is a safe place,” said Hansen.

“It's an unfortunate incident – maybe a sign of the times these days, but we are definitely going to pray for the person to get the help that they need and continue to support the victim and all of our parishioners,” pledged Ferrera.