SYDNEY (OSV News): Religious and political leaders in Australia called for calm and unity after the stabbing attack on Assyrian Orthodox at the altar of Christ the Good Shepherd Church an independent church he established in 2015, just days after a separate knife attack claimed six lives in Sydney’s Bondi Junction mall. The church is located in Wakeley, in Sydney’s western suburbs.
Bishop Emmanuel, who rose to prominence during the Covdi-19 pandemic for his fiery YouTube sermons, was stabbed at 7.10pm on April 15.
In a now-removed livestream video, a man in dark clothing was seen approaching the altar and stabbing the multiple times before congregants rushed up to stop the attack. Terrified screams could be heard before the stream was ended and deleted.
The 16-year-old attacker was quickly restrained by the congregation, some of whom were injured in the attempt. The attacker in turn suffered severe injuries from the angry crowd that quickly formed, with police later confirming social media photos and rumours that at least one of his fingers was severed.
Bishop Emmanuel was taken to Liverpool Hospital where he is reportedly recovering well from non-life-threatening injuries.
In a now-removed livestream video, a man in dark clothing was seen approaching the altar and stabbing the multiple times before congregants rushed up to stop the attack. Terrified screams could be heard before the stream was ended and deleted
New South Wales Police said the attacker had been restrained prior to their arrival, and was arrested and taken to an “undisclosed location.”
An estimated 2,000 men quickly converged on the church after the attack, with police responding by deploying the riot squad.
Batons and pepper spray were used to disperse the crowd around and police officers were injured, after being hit with bricks, fence pickets and other debris. Several police cars were also destroyed.
New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, confirmed on April 16 that the stabbing was a “terrorist act” after convening a council of religious and community leaders overnight to call for calm.
Australian Federal Police commissioner, Reece Kershaw, said at a press conference with prime minister, Anthony Albanese, that police will allege the attack was “religiously motivated” and also called for calm.
New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, confirmed on April 16 that the stabbing was a ‘terrorist act’ after convening a council of religious and community leaders overnight to call for calm.
Faith leaders worked hard to ease concerns in the community, with the Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney urging the faithful to respond with “prayer and peace” rather than fear or anger.
“Houses of prayer have traditionally been places of peace and solace, refuge and sanctuary and so the video footage of the attack upon a religious leader during a religious service inside a church has been especially confronting,” Archbishop Fisher said.
“The images of the violence that subsequently occurred outside the church are also confronting,” he continued. “We have seen these types of events in other countries but, up until now, Australia has been largely free from this type of blatant violence in and around places of worship.
He stressed, “Every person in this country, be they bishop or priest, rabbi or imam, minister or congregant, should be able to worship in safety, without fear that they might be subject to acts of violence while gathering in prayer.”
Archbishop Fisher urged the faithful “to not respond to these events with fear, avoiding places of worship because they are worried about further attacks, nor with anger, engaging in acts of reprisal or revenge. The best response to violence and fear is prayer and peace.”
The Australian National Imams Council likewise condemned the attacks…
Syriac Catholic Father Lenard Ina, based in neighbouring Fairfield, said, “I think Bishop Mari will forgive the person who did this but will also expect him to be judged under the law.” He told The Catholic Weekly, “I know his personality and I think he will use what has happened to him to show the face of Jesus.”
Bishop Robert Rabbat of Australia’s Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy told The Catholic Weekly that many people in Sydney’s multicultural community have come from places where innocent people, including priests, were killed in churches, “Especially from Iraq, but also Syria, Lebanon and other places where they were hurt and were happy to come here, where it is safe to practice their faith with their leaders,” he said.
The bishop said some members of his own Church were wondering whether their houses of prayer would remain oases of peace in Australia.
The Australian National Imams Council likewise condemned the attacks as “horrifying” and having no place in Australia, “particularly at places of worship and toward religious leaders.”
Bishop Emmanuel was a bishop of the Assyrian Ancient Church of the East, before establishing Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, and is no longer listed among the clergy of the Assyrian Church’s Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon.
