WOODBRIDGE, Va. (WUSA) -- Two priests, an office argument, a fight, and one arrested and charged with a felony.
Some parishioners at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church in Woodbridge are defending Father Charles Smith and complaining that the Bishop has failed to treat him fairly.
Police arrested Father Smith and charged him with felony "unlawful wounding." The alleged victim was Smith's boss, the parish pastor, Father Paul Eversole, who was treated at a hospital for a cut over his eye.
"There is no history of violence with either of these men. This was a simple disagreement over office matters that escalated quickly," says Joelle Santolla, spokeswoman for the diocese.
Several parishioners here complained that Rev. Smith was treated unfairly. One writes that he's one of the best priests in the Catholic Church, kind and caring, working day and night to help the church and doing his bosses' job.
"I know both of them. They're both good priests. What happened, I don't have any idea what happened between the two of them," says parishioner, Patricia Avela.
Our Lady of Angels in Woodbridge is one of the largest parishes in Virginia with over 10,000 registered parishioners.
The Bishop has removed Smith from the parish, and the priest is awaiting a court date.
"Our priests are human, just like you and I aren't perfect, they aren't perfect either, and we need to remember that they can make mistakes as well," says Santolla.
The Arlington Diocese says the accused priest won't be coming back here. The bishop is asking for prayers for both men.
Father Smith has been at Our Lady of Angels for three years. Father Eversole has been there for four.
Written by Bruce Leshan
9NEWS NOW & wusa9.com