Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was allegedly attacked during a church service in Sydney, sparking large protests and heavy police response
Hundreds of people clashed with police in south-west Sydney on Monday night after Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, a prominent Orthodox Christian leader, was allegedly stabbed during mass at the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley. The incident occurred around 7 pm when an individual approached the bishop at the altar and reportedly stabbed toward his head multiple times.
The live stream of the mass captured the congregation rushing toward Bishop Emmanuel, who is known for his significant online presence gained during the COVID-19 pandemic before the broadcast abruptly ended. In the chaotic aftermath, three worshippers sustained injuries during the altercation. Responding to the emergency, officers from the Fairfield police area command were dispatched to the scene on Welcome Street.
Tensions escalated as a large crowd gathered outside the church, leading to violent confrontations with the police. Several police cars were damaged, prompting the call for riot police to disperse the protesters. Authorities arrested a 15-year-old at the scene, who was reportedly held at the church initially for his own safety. Police efforts continued for hours, attempting to restore order with a helicopter broadcasting messages urging the crowd to disperse.
Both Bishop Emmanuel and another priest were reported to be in stable condition following the attack. The church issued a statement on social media requesting prayers and urging for peace as taught by their faith.
Inamul Haq Kauser, the national president and Grand Imam of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Australia expressed strong condemnation of the attack and extended sympathies to the victims, emphasizing unity and recovery. State Premier Chris Minns called for calm, emphasizing the importance of following police and emergency service directions.
The victims of the attack were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics; none suffered life-threatening injuries. The attack occurred shortly after another violent incident in Sydney, where six people were fatally stabbed at Westfield Shopping Centre in Bondi Junction, adding to the city’s current state of unrest
