Police: Pa. priest attacked inside monastery

Police have charged a northeastern Pennsylvania man with breaking into a monastery residence hall and attacking a priest with a knife early on Ash Wednesday.

Scranton police say 25-year-old Ryan Foley attacked the priest at Saint Ann’s Basilica while under the influence of “bath salts,” legal chemicals not approved for human consumption.

Police said the Rev. Francis Landry told police he was asleep when he woke up to a man standing in his room who attacked him before fleeing. Foley was captured a short time later inside the building.

Scranton Police Chief Dan Duffy says he believes Foley had been binging on the drug for several days.

Landry was treated at a hospital for wounds to his face and hand.