Catholic Army chaplain from Minnesota critically wounded in Iraq

Published: 2004-06-09

ST. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) -- Family and friends of Father H. Timothy Vakoc continued to pray in early June for the U.S. Army chaplain from Minnesota who was seriously injured when a bomb exploded near his Humvee in Iraq May 29. Father Vakoc, 44, lost his left eye and sustained brain damage and possible paralysis on his right side, according to family members. He underwent surgery to relieve brain swelling at a U.S. Army hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, before being flown to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, where, as of the evening of June 8, he remained in a coma in critical but stable condition. He also is being treated for bacterial meningitis. Though not alert, Father Vakoc has responded to stimuli, according to family members. In a June 1 letter alerting clergy of the incident, Archbishop Harry J. Flynn of St. Paul and Minneapolis requested prayers for Father Vakoc "as he recuperates and then faces a difficult new challenge for the future."

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