Father Graham Pugin‚ who was shot in the face by a rubber bullet at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in downtown Johannesburg on Monday‚ has received medical treatment and is recovering‚ the church said on Tuesday.

Graham was injured after intervening between police and protesting students from the University of the Witwatersrand.

 The Society of Jesus (Jesuits)‚ the order of priests to which he belongs‚ said prayers‚ well wishes and offers for assistance have been received from across society including the worldwide gathering of the Jesuit General Congregation‚ meeting in Rome at present‚ as well as the Vatican Ambassador to South Africa‚ Archbishop Peter Wells.

“Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Braamfontein has served as a safe and sacred space for negotiations‚ and we hope that it will continue to do so.”

The church said Father Graham has been one of the facilitators‚ along with other clergy and former student leaders‚ working towards an agreement between the students‚ management and other stakeholders at Wits.

“Unfortunately‚ the negotiation process has been stalled and we are concerned by the sense of distrust between all the role players. The high security presence and clashes between police and students have also heightened tensions‚ making negotiations‚ at this stage‚ much more difficult. The shooting of Fr Graham has shocked and distressed many people‚ including students. He‚ along with the Society of Jesus‚ remain hopeful that a solution can be achieved.”

The presidency earlier on Tuesday announced a task team with eight cabinet ministers to resolve the Fees Must Fall crisis. However‚ the church said an intervention required all sectors of society.

“We note the establishment of a national government task team on the fees crisis but believe that this alone will not deal with the problem.”

The church called for a national mediation effort to resolve the fees issue and stabilise the situation on campuses.