It happened at Resurrection Parish Church in Wilmington last March.
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Church employees told police they heard noises coming from Reverend William Graney's office.
When they went to investigate, they found 26-year-old Joshua August punching and kicking Father Graney.
They were able to pull him off, but he returned seconds later with a bottle of wine, which he used to batter the priest.
Father Graney spent a week in the hospital.
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Another worker was also hurt, but not seriously.
Parish officials describe the attacker as a troubled homeless man Father Graney had been trying to help.
After prison, August will serve 8 years' probation and receive extensive mental health treatment.