Priest Robbed in Church

A veteran Chicago priest was beaten and robbed inside the Far South Side church where he has served as a pastor since 1977.

Rev. Daniel Mallette, pastor emeritus at St. Margaret of Scotland Church, located in the 9800 block of South Throop Street, awoke around 12:30 a.m. in the church's rectory to two male intruders standing over him, demanding he give them money, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The intruders proceeded to beat and rob the Rev. Mallette, 80, when he apparently did not move fast enough to their liking.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, a close friend of Mallette's and long-time parishioner at the church, described the incident as "a very vicious attack. ... It just reinforces to you that we have evil in our society," according to the Chicago Tribune.

Mallette was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn for treatment after he sustained broken ribs and a swollen face. NBC Chicago reports he was treated and released.

Mallette's church is well known for its diverse congregation, according to ABC Chicago. The pastor has also been recognized for his work addressing poverty and racial injustice in the community.

No arrests have been made. See Chick's THE THIEF.