Bishop, priest, and parishioners stabbed in Australian church just days after nearby mall massacre
The attack has prompted protests, which police have worked vigorously to shut down.
A bearded knifeman savagely attacked a conservative Assyrian Orthodox bishop, a priest, and several parishioners Monday in a Sydney suburb. The attack took place in the sanctuary of Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, just days after another extremist slaughtered at least six people at a nearby shopping center, wounding several more, including a baby.
Several local protests have reportedly erupted in the area, signaling Australians' growing frustration with what appears to be imported radicalism.
According to the New South Wales Police Force, officers were dispatched around 7:10 p.m. to the Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley following reports that "a number of people were stabbed."
The attack was captured on film during the Good Shepherd Church's livestream. Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel can be seen giving a sermon as a man in a black hooded sweatshirt strides up to the altar. It appears the attacker has something in his hand, which he strikes into the bishop's face, shoulder, neck, and head, while parishioners scream in terror. The attacker continues to stab the bishop after he falls to the ground.
Several men and women — including a priest and a nun — can be seen rushing through the sanctuary, with some prying the attacker off the Iraq-born Australian of the Assyrian Church of the East before the camera pans to the side and the feed cuts out.
Police indicated the attacker is presently in custody and the injuries suffered at his hands are non-life threatening.
Chris Minns, the state premier of New South Wales, stated, "Disturbing scenes tonight in Wakeley tonight."
"It's important that the community remain calm and continue to listen and act to the directions of Police and Emergency Services. We are a strong community in NSW and it’s important that we all stick together, particularly in the face of adversity," added Minns.
In the aftermath of the church stabbing, thousands of people poured into the streets, offering condemnations of the attack and venting their vexation. Riot Squad officers apparently came out in force to drive parishioners and protesters away from the church.
The Telegraph reported that police deployed tear gas in response to alleged riots around the church and chants of "an eye for an eye."
Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone told Sky News Australia, "Bishops and priests[,] they're very very important in our community, they only preach love and peace, and to have this happen to one of them is horrific."
"However, 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," said Carbone. "We live in difficult times right now … so I can understand frustration and the anger from the communities but I ask them as the mayor just to please be calm."
Christ the Good Shepherd Church issued a statement saying, "Our beloved Bishop, His Grace Mar Mari Emmanuel, and Father Isaac have been admitted to hospital. They are in a stable condition. We ask for your prayers at this time."
"It is the Bishop's and Father's wishes that you also pray for the perpetrator," continued the statement. "We also kindly ask anyone at the Church premises to leave in peace, as our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, teaches us."
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