Police have charged a man who allegedly stabbed a priest in the face with a pen while he was setting up for evening mass at a primary school in Darwin's north on Friday.

In a letter to parents at the Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School, seen by the ABC, principal Paula Sellars said Suraj Mattappallil Jose was preparing for mass at the school's church about 4:15pm when he was attacked.

"[Father] Suraj is currently recovering in hospital and hopes to be home later today," Ms Sellars wrote.

"This letter is not to alarm you, but rather keep you informed.

"I have met with [Father] Dave, [Father] Shehan, [Father] Dan and [Father] Adam to check in that they are okay. They will be updating the parish through weekend masses."

In a statement, a Northern Territory Police spokesperson said a 37-y

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