78-year-old Reverend Joao Bastos broke through a police barrier, set up in the northern town of Argoncilhe to allow a children’s race to take place.
Narrowly missing a child and ignoring police orders, the priest kept driving saying he was running late for an 11 am service he was to conduct.
Five police officers in hot pursuit managed to stop the Mercedes he was driving, but had to drag him out of the car as he refused to leave the car out of his own free will.
He was taken to the local police station and charged with civil disobedience and subsequently was released.
The priest finally arrived at the church at around noon.