Wakeley, Western Sydney – Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, a prominent conservative leader of the Assyrian Orthodox Christ the Good Shepherd Church, made headlines after surviving a violent attack during a mass service being livestreamed online. The 53-year-old leader sustained head lacerations and underwent surgery following the incident, which the New South Wales police commissioner described as a harrowing experience where Bishop Emmanuel was “lucky to be alive.”
Bishop Emmanuel, known for his charismatic and controversial approach, garnered a significant online following in 2020 for his outspoken opposition to COVID-19 lockdowns, referring to the pandemic as a “plandemic.” The bishop, who grew up in Baghdad before relocating to Australia as a child, was excommunicated in 2014 from the main Assyrian Church of The East, leading to the establishment of his own church.
His online presence, which includes social media pages with thousands of followers, features sermons broadcast on Facebook and YouTube channels with a combined 240,000 followers. Not without controversy, Bishop Emmanuel is recognized for preaching anti-LGBTQ views and criticizing non-Christian religions, such as Judaism and Islam. Despite his contentious stance on certain issues, he has also advocated for peace and delivered sermons on global conflicts like the conflict in Gaza.
The Assyrian Church of the East, a distinct branch of Christianity, serves as the foundation for Christ The Good Shepherd Church, drawing parishioners from the Assyrian communities in Liverpool and Fairfield. Assyrians, primarily Christians, are a minority group with historical roots in regions spanning Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Turkey. Services at the Wakeley church are bilingual, conducted in both English and Assyrian, and offer educational programs for children and youth. Bishop Emmanuel’s influence extends beyond his local community through appearances on conservative YouTube programs and interviews, covering topics ranging from religion to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the wake of the attack on Bishop Emmanuel, the community rallied around the prominent leader as he continued to share his message through various media platforms. Despite facing challenges and controversies, his resilience and unwavering commitment to his beliefs have solidified his place as a significant figure within the Assyrian Orthodox community.