Priest Recovering after Apparent, Unexplained, Southtown Motel Assault

By Michelle Casady
San Antonio Express-News
June 5, 2013

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Priest-recovering-after-apparent-unexplained-4580913.php

A Bastrop priest who was found by police last week standing in the doorway of his Southtown motel wearing only his underwear, the victim of an apparent assault, left authorities with several unanswered questions about why he was there.

Father Rafael Padilla, 42, was unable to tell police who may have caused the swelling, cuts and bruises on his face and arms.

Padilla also couldn't explain to police why there was a cold, unopened beer, condoms and lubricating jelly inside the motel room or who the items could belong to, according to the police report.

He checked into the Relax Inn in the 500 block of Roosevelt Avenue about 11:30 a.m. on May 29 and hotel staff told police that 30 minutes later Padilla called them asking for an ambulance.

An ambulance took Padilla, who was complaining of head pain, to San Antonio Military Medical Center for treatment, according to the police report, but when questioned about how he was injured he said “he thought he was dreaming and didn't know what was going on.”

Christian González, spokesman for the diocese in Austin, confirmed that Padilla, who serves as pastor of Ascension Parish in Bastrop, was the victim of an assault in San Antonio on May 29.

González said the diocese of Austin is investigating the incident independently of the ongoing SAPD investigation. Because of those investigations, González said the church isn't commenting further about the circumstances of the incident.

It's unclear whether Padilla will be attending or leading services this Sunday, González said, adding that the Father is recovering from the assault and is in good condition now.

Contact: mcasady@express-news.net