A 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a bishop and several churchgoers were stabbed during a sermon in Sydney.
The incident happened on Monday evening at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church in the suburb of Wakeley.
At least four people were stabbed but police said none of their injuries were life-threatening.
The incident triggered unrest as hundreds gathered outside the church, clashing with police – two of whom were injured.
Who is Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel?
For those outside his large flock, the name may not be familiar, but for his hundreds of thousands of adoring followers – he’s a beacon of faith.
Emmanuel, ordained a priest in 2009 and a bishop in 2011, is a prominent Assyrian Church of the East clergyman known for his efforts to preserve Assyrian heritage and culture, as well as his advocacy for Assyrian rights.
Leader of an ultraconservative sect of the Assyrian Orthodox, the Bishop also became popular during the Covid-19 pandemic for being critical of lockdowns and vaccines.
During the pandemic, he gained notoriety for comments where he criticised both lockdowns and vaccines and said coronavirus was “just another type of flu”, describing public health measures as “mass slavery at the core of it”.
What happened in Wakeley?
Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and multiple worshippers were attacked during a service in Wakeley on Monday evening. The incident unfolded at Christ The Good Shepherd Church, with disturbing footage captured on a livestream depicting the priest being stabbed six times.
Following the assault, footage emerged of the suspected assailant being subdued inside the church, as an agitated crowd gathered outside amidst a significant police presence.
Authorities responded to the scene after receiving a call around 7pm. One individual has been arrested in connection with the attack and is currently assisting the police with their investigation.
