Shocking video footage shows Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel violently attacked while delivering his sermon at Wakeley’s Christ The Good Shepherd Church near Sydney, Australia.
Several people reportedly sustained injuries during the stabbing attack.
It’s unclear what the perpetrator used in the assault.
Emmanuel fell to the floor during the attack and congregants rushed to his aid.
“Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was saying mass at the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley just after 7pm when a man approached him at the altar and allegedly stabbed toward his head multiple times. Three worshippers were also injured in the alleged attack,” The Guardian reports.
WARNING – EXTREMELY GRAPHIC FOOTAGE
news.com.au reports:
Police have arrested a 15 year old boy after a prominent bishop and three other men were allegedly stabbed during a service at an Assyrian church on Monday evening.
ADVERTISEMENTVideo, posted on social media, shows Christian leader Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel allegedly being attacked at Wakeley’s Christ The Good Shepherd Church while delivering his sermon about 7.10pm Monday.
After the attack, a furious mob of around 2000 people swarmed near the church with riots breaking out and police struggling to maintain order.
NCA NewsWire understands crowds have also formed at Liverpool Hospital after at least some of those injured at the church were taken there for treatment.
It is understood the hospital has gone into lockdown as a result.
The boy arrested was known to the police and was not a regular attendee of the church, police said.
He has been taken to an “undisclosed location” and the public has been urged to avoid the area.
Police said officers were continuing to “work on restoring order”.
WATCH:
“Bring him out!”
A crowd of more than 5000 angry Christian men have surrounded the church where hundreds of Riot Police are guarding the #stabbing attacker. Courtesy Chriscoveries. pic.twitter.com/0d37ZCpFgU
— Aussie Cossack (@aussiecossack) April 15, 2024
— World Source News 24/7 (@Worldsource24) April 15, 2024
Western Sydney is rising. pic.twitter.com/SpVofTgPu6
— Aussie Cossack (@aussiecossack) April 15, 2024
Per The Guardian:
Police urged people to avoid the area while state premier Chris Minns also urged the community remain calm.
“Disturbing scenes tonight in Wakeley tonight,” he said in a post to X. “My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and first responders who are working to keep us safe.”
“It’s important that the community remain calm and continue to listen and act to the directions of Police and Emergency Services.”
The injured people suffered non-life threatening injuries and were treated by NSW ambulance paramedics.
NSW Ambulance said they were called to the church about 7.15pm and sent paramedic teams to the scene.
A spokesman said they had treated a man in his 50s for multiple cuts before taking him to Liverpool hospital.
ADVERTISEMENTA man his 30s was also treated for lacerations and taken to hospital.
A man in his 20s was being treated for a cut to his hand and a man in his 60s treated for a laceration to his arm at the scene.
“As a member of the Syrian Aramean muslim Australian community, I condemn this filthy terrorists who attacked our Father Mar Mari #MarmariEmanuel in the strongest possible terms. I hope that Muslim leaders in Sydney will come together with the Assyrian Aramaic church community to heal from this and against those that seek to divide us. Father Mar Mari has always preached about Unity and love between levantine people of all religions. That is what must remain,” Syrian Girl commented.
WATCH:
As a member of the Syrian Aramean muslim Australian community, I condemn this filthy terrorists who attacked our Father Mar Mari #MarmariEmanuel in the strongest possible terms.
I hope that Muslim leaders in Sydney will come together with the Assyrian Aramaic church community to… pic.twitter.com/dkBq8hYFbA
— Syrian Girl
(@Partisangirl) April 15, 2024
“I’ve read reports that Mari and the victims of this brutal attack are in a stable condition. I can only imagine the love through prayer that Mari Emmanuel and the congregation received. If you haven’t watched his videos, believer or unbeliever, you should,” independent journalist Lewis Brackpool wrote.
WATCH:
I’ve read reports that Mari and the victims of this brutal attack are in a stable condition.
I can only imagine the love through prayer that Mari Emmanuel and the congregation received.
If you haven’t watched his videos, believer or unbeliever, you should. pic.twitter.com/ZP1YWjvafl
— Lewis Brackpool (@Lewis_Brackpool) April 15, 2024
Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel discussed his visit to the Gaza Strip in this video:
Australian Bishop, Mar Mari Emmanuel, talks about his trip to the Gaza strip. pic.twitter.com/pPI0aYyjQF
— Censored Men (@CensoredMen) November 8, 2023
Pray for Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel.
pic.twitter.com/hAoSS8OGLi
— Antonio Sabato Jr (@AntonioSabatoJr) April 15, 2024
WATCH:
Very powerful clip of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel.
Pray for him. Christ Is King! pic.twitter.com/LZwERUGNxX
— Chief Trumpster (@ChiefTrumpster) April 15, 2024
This story is developing.
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