ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (WJXT) – A Florida priest preparing to return to the pulpit says divine help saved him from a near-fatal stabbing attack last month.
Matt Marino, a pastor with the Episcopal Diocese of Florida, says he was drinking coffee and talking to a woman, identified as 22-year-old Ariena Gibbs, when she allegedly pulled out a rusty knife and stabbed him in the chest. He is still recovering from the October 23 attack in St. Augustine, but is now making plans to return to the pulpit.
“It’s the most surprising moment,” Marino said. “I think what she said was, ‘I’m having problems.’ When you tell that to a pastor, our first response is always, “Well, tell us your story.” So I leaned forward a little bit, and she leans forward and pulls out this rusty knife and sticks it in and pulls it out. I think, ‘It feels like things have gone very far.’
Matt Marino, a pastor with the Episcopal Diocese of Florida, says he was drinking coffee and talking to a woman when she allegedly pulled out a rusty knife and stabbed him in the chest. He is still recovering from the attack but is now making plans to return to the pulpit.(Source: WJXT via CNN)
Marino says that in the moments after he was stabbed, he made a deal with God that allowed him to live and walk his daughter down the aisle.
“She hit my lung and pulmonary artery,” he said of the attack. “I was laying there on the ground having a conversation with God, ‘Gosh, I’d really rather… How about not doing it today, Lord? And I felt like the Lord said yes.”
The attack left Marino with a broken rib, a stab wound and an infection. He lost a lot of blood and had to be taken to hospital, but he says he survived with divine help.
“The only man in the province who happens to have a battle chest stamp. There is a Customs and Border Control officer (who) personally upgraded his first aid program. He just happens to drive a long way to work, sees me, stops, turns it on and saves my life,” Marino said.
Gibbs was arrested for the stabbing and charged with attempted manslaughter. She is being held without bond.
Marino says his intention was not to tell a negative story, nor to shame the suspect. He says he is instead focusing on returning to his church and delivering a very important message.
“Forgiveness is available. Enjoy your forgiveness. God forgives you completely in Jesus Christ,” he said.
Marino also thanks all the first responders who helped him.
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