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Sydney Church Stabbing: Bishop Attacked During Sermon

Reports reaching GlobalCurrent24.com is that, a Sydney Bishop attacked during sermon which was on live feed. This sad event occurred on Monday evening.

A bishop and three others were stabbed during a sermon in Sydney that was being broadcast live online. The event occurred Monday evening at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in the Wakeley area.

Police responded to allegations that several persons had been stabbed, however none of the injuries were life-threatening.

Police reported that a man had been apprehended and taken to an unidentified location.

Following the incident, massive crowds gathered outside the church, and unverified footage posted online appeared to show some damaging the edifice and emergency cars.

Authorities stated that “a large police response is under way and the public is urged to avoid the area.”

Local media identified the bishop who was attacked as Mar Mari Emmanuel. His identification was later established by the Eastern Orthodox Church.
According to a church statement, Father Isaac, a priest, was also hurt. Both were brought to the hospital.

“We ask for your prayers during this time,” the church stated.

“We also kindly ask anyone at the Church premises to leave in peace” , according to the statement.

Local Mayor Frank Carbone was among those who called for calm.

“I understand a lot of members in our community are really distraught but what is important is I believe that the bishop has been taken to hospital and should be okay,” he told Sky News Australia.

According to the AFP news agency, the suburb serves as a hub for Sydney’s small Christian Assyrian population, many of whom have escaped persecution and conflict in Iraq and Syria.

In the livestreamed sermon video, a man clothed in black clothing approaches the bishop before appearing to hit him with an unidentified weapon.
Several other people try to intervene, and screams of horror can be heard.

“The injured people suffered non-life threatening injuries and are being treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics,” the police said in a statement.

Those injured are all assumed to be guys aged 20 to 70. The motivation for the attack is unknown.