A horrific incident unfolded at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Sydney's peaceful Wakeley suburb. The senior leader of the church, Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was brutally attacked during a livestreamed service. Police have described it as a suspected terrorist act. The assailant, a 16-year-old was seen charging towards Bishop Emmanuel while he was speaking to his congregation.
Videos show the attacker lunging towards the bishop with a knife and then plunging the weapon repeatedly at the bishop's face and neck. Reports indicate that the knife initially failed to open. In videos that have now gone viral, the assailant lands blow after blow on the bishop without drawing blood, and he turns for a moment to look at the knife that had apparently malfunctioned in his hand. He then opens the knife and continues the assault. In the meantime, church members rushed forward to intervene amidst screams. They managed to subdue and restrain the attacker until police arrived and arrested him. The shocking scenes were witnessed by many online.
Bishop Emmanuel sustained multiple cuts to his head and body. Another priest, Father Isaac Royel and two other church members also suffered injuries. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the assailant, whose name has been withheld, lost three fingers in a mishap with his own knife during the attack.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb indicated that the attack was believed to be premeditated and motivated by religious extremism. Eyewitnesses report that the man had shouted “Allahu akhbar” several times. An eyewitness video shows the man being pinned down to the ground, speaking in Arabic, “If they didn't insult my prophet, I wouldn't have come here.” It is believed that he might be referring to a previous video where Bishop Emmanuel pleads with Muslims to be saved through Jesus Christ because no one else can offer salvation.
Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel is a well-known and well-loved preacher with a following of almost 200,000 online. He is of Assyrian descent and fluent in multiple languages including Arabic and Aramaic. His messages are always about peace and love and salvation through Jesus Christ. He is also outspoken on social and political issues. He had recently made a trip to Gaza with a team to help Gazan children and families with food and supplies and advocating for peace between Israel and Palestine.
In the immediate aftermath of the attack, witnesses reported Bishop Emmanuel's remarkable act of compassion amidst the chaos, where despite his injuries, he reached out to the assailant. He is said to have put his hand on the head of the assailant and prayed for him. Councillor Steve Christou from the Cumberland City Council confirmed this, “It just shows the remarkable courage of a man and forgiveness he has within him to pray for his alleged attacker.”
Bishop Emmanuel has undergone surgery and is reported to be doing fine and recovering quickly. In an audio release, he shared, “There is no need to be worried or concerned. I forgive whoever has done this act and I say to him: You are my son, I love you and I will always pray for you. And whoever sent you to do this, I forgive them as well.”
Sources: CNN, The Sun, Youtube, Youtube
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