GERMANTOWN, Maryland (CWNews.com)

    A Maryland priest was murdered in his home, possibly following a burglary, police said on Thursday.

    Monsignor Thomas Wells, 56, was found in his bedroom after he failed to show up for Mass at 8 am Thursday at Mother Seton Church in Germantown. Police said there is evidence of a struggle. "Monsignor Wells was involved in a violent altercation with an assailant or assailants," said Officer Joyce Barrows of the Montgomery County Police Department. She did not speculate over the cause of death, but said it appeared Monsignor Wells was beaten.

    Members of the parish of 2,000 people were stunned and in shock as they gathered at the church. "He was exceptional because he'd always have time for you," said Denise Clark, 45, a parishioner and housekeeper in the rectory.

    Cardinal James Hickey of Washington, DC, in a statement, called for all to "pray for an end to senseless violence in our society."

We encourage you to check the Catholic World News site at the CWN home page and Church News at Noticias Eclesiales and the Dossiers, features and Daily Dispatches from ZENIT International News Agency CWN, NE and ZENIT are not affiliated with the Daily CATHOLIC, but provide this service via e-mail to the Daily CATHOLIC Monday through Friday.