Image Reuters, Edited by Freda Donnelly | Article by Freda Donnelly @shesbasedbabe
Bishop Emmanuel was stabbed during a live-streamed church service yesterday in Wakeley, New South Wales, Australia. After sustaining multiple lacerations due to being stabbed multiple times, he was rushed to the hospital in stable condition.
Also present at the time of the attack, Father Isaac Royel, who has served as the Senior Parish Priest since his ordination in 2016, was admitted for similar wounds. The Assyrian Christian Orthodox clergymen of Christ the Good Shepherd Church are said to be in stable condition. On the church’s Instagram, they alerted their congregation to the situation requesting prayers for both the victims and the perpetrator of the attack. They also requested that no one enter the church despite the rumored prayer session, stating that it was closed and would not be allowing anyone in at this time.
The assailant who is said by police to be 16 years of age and not from the immediate area was recorded asking, “Why is he insulting my prophet?” while lunging at Bishop Emmanuel with a knife, before shortly being restrained by parishioners. He was later arrested by the police and held at the church for his safety. The assailant cut his finger off during the felonious botched attack when his flick knife failed to open and is currently in the hospital under police supervision. He was seen dressed entirely in black on livestream walking up to the bishop’s altar at about 7:10 p.m. (AEST) on Monday, April 15th. Footage taken immediately after the attack showed the teenage knifeman was pinned down by at least three individuals which also included a police officer.
The New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb stated in a press conference that it was declared, “a terrorist incident.” She went on to say, “We believe there are elements that are satisfied in terms of religious-motivated extremism.” Christ the Good Shepherd Church in a statement called the attack an isolated incident and denounced retaliation of any kind.
Emergency crews reported attending to around 30 people after there was a clash outside of the church. The clash consisted of a protest where the crowd allegedly demanded the police hand over the terrorist. Seven of these individuals were taken to hospitals with injuries. Multiple police officers were also hospitalized with injuries and 20 police vehicles were damaged, Webb said. An estimated 100 police officers which included riot squad cops were called to the scene. Aviation Command, more commonly referred to as POL AIR, which provides aerial support to police across New South Wales was also present in the aftermath of the incident.
Further response came from the Prime Minister saying, “To the Assyrian community, in particular, my heart goes out to you today,” Mr. Albanese said. Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher has also addressed Sydney’s Christian community in the wake of the attack. “I urge 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,” he said.
Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel is renowned as a prominent conservative leader of the Assyrian Orthodox rite. He was ordained a priest in 2009 and then a Bishop in 2011. Emmanuel gained a significant online following in 2020 as an outspoken opponent of COVID-19 lockdowns. He’s also known for criticizing non-Christian religions, including Judaism and Islam. Sharing passionately about his beliefs has caused him to garner a large social media following across platforms. He’s even been referred to as a “TikTok star” by outlets such as Reuters. Whilst the Bishop is currently recovering in the hospital there’s a scam going around where someone is impersonating him on Facebook. Bishop Emmanuel is said to be, “a good man, he’s a spiritual man. He loves his church, he loves his people,” by friend and parishioner Mr. Danny Abdallah. The Police Commissioner stated that the bishop is, “lucky to be alive,” and he remains in stable condition.