Local News

Beaver Co. Nuns Hold Vigil At Site Of Elderly Sister's Attack

January 10, 2014 / 2:58 PM EST / CBS Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The Sisters of St. Joseph and St. Titus Parish held a prayer service Friday – a month after an elderly sister was sexually assaulted and attacked.

Exactly one month to the day after it happened, in the exact same hour, 200 worshippers held a prayer vigil at the site where an 85-year-old nun was badly beaten and raped.

It was an attack that outraged the community. But there are no calls for vengeance.

"Today we gather in prayer to remove that mark of violence from this place," said one worshipper. "We come not in anger, but as witnesses of peace."

The 85-year-old victim was putting papers in a recycling bin the in the church parking lot. It was about 11:30 a.m. when she was attacked from behind.

They say her jaw was so badly beaten; she couldn't even speak to police.

Andrew Bullock, 19, of Aliquippa, has been charged in the attack.

The victim bravely testified at a hearing last month.

Aliquippa Mayor Dwan Walker is moved by her strength.

"She's better than a lot of people, believe me," said Walker. "For 85-years-old, for the amount of love that she has in her heart, she's a saint. I'm going to feed off that energy for like the rest of the year."

While they blessed the site where the horrible attack occurred, there was hope for faith and peace.

"Violence has so much visibility in our culture. Our hope is that we brought the same sort of visibility to a non-violent response," added Sr. Mary Pellegrino, of the Sisters of St. Joseph.