PASTOR RICK WARREN BLINDED IN GARDENING ACCIDENT, IN
'EXCRUCIATING PAIN'
Published 07/22/2010 - 3:36 p.m. CST
By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
LAKE FOREST, CA - (ANS)- Mega-church pastor Rick Warren has been
blinded in a gardening accident at his California home that has left him
temporarily without sight and in "excruciating pain."
According to Warren's publicist, A. Larry Ross, Warren was pruning a
firestick plant in his yard on Monday when he got some sap on his
hands, wiped his brow and "immediately experienced excruciating pain
in both eyes."
Warren's wife, Kay, called 911 and an emergency squad rushed him to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo,
California, where he stayed overnight before his release on Tuesday.
Ross said Warren is wearing protective contact lenses and is using ointment, but is unable to open his eyes. Ross
told Christianity Today that doctors expect he will recover.
Warren tweeted: "Thank you for your prayers for my eyes. Another doctor visit this PM. May God use this pain
for his glory. Rom. 8:28"
Earlier, Warren said in his Tweet: "My eyes were severely burned by a toxic poison. Hospitalized Mon.
Excruciating pain. Now home. Pray my sight loss is restored."
That same message was posted to Warren's Facebook page.
Not much else is known about Warren's condition, except that the accident happened at his home in Southern
California, where he pastors the Saddleback mega-church that he founded 30 years ago.