The Catholic Diocese of Austin is investigating a priest who called about 15 children to come forward during an evening Mass so he could prick them with an unsterilized pin.Reverend Arthur Michalka was attempting to demonstrate the pain Jesus suffered during his crucifixion. He says he was trying to teach the children suffering is a part of life.

Helen Osman, communications director for the Austin diocese, says no one reacted badly during the incident at Holy Trinity Catholic Church on Wednesday night. The priest pricked both adults and children.

Debbie Sybert, whose 11-year-old daughter was pricked during the ceremony, says the priest drew her daughter's blood. Michalka, however, contests none of the children bled.Osman says workers at the Williamson County and Cities Health District will conduct confidential interviews with Mass attendees to find out if they contracted any communicable disease or whether skin was broken.Officials will then determine whether the children might be at risk for exposure to diseases such as HIV or hepatitis and whether a blood test is necessary.Dr. Ed Sherwood, health authority for the Williamson district, says the chances of transmitting blood-borne diseases by a pinprick are slim. He did, however, say the risk would increase if adults and children were pricked with the same pin, as adults are more likely to be sexually active.Michalka says he plans to apologize in church this Sunday for failing to sterilize the pin.