Sydney, Australia – An attack on a bishop at an Assyrian Orthodox Church in Sydney is now being investigated as a “terrorist incident” by New South Wales Police. The incident occurred during a mass service at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, where Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was violently attacked, sustaining lacerations to his head. The 53-year-old bishop underwent surgery, while a 39-year-old man who tried to intervene also suffered cuts and a shoulder injury. Additionally, a 16-year-old was arrested at the scene after allegedly attacking the bishop.
Following the disturbing incident, a meeting was convened by the NSW government with religious leaders representing various faith communities across Sydney’s west. The leaders signed and endorsed a statement calling for peace and calm in the community. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also held a national security subcommittee meeting in Canberra to address the incident and its implications. The police have classified the stabbing as a “terrorist incident,” with ASIO supporting the decision.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns emphasized that the attack is being investigated as a “terrorist incident” due to the “religiously motivated” language used during the assault. NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb described the incident as part of a “major and serious criminal investigation,” urging the community to cooperate with law enforcement efforts. The boy responsible for the attack had a previous knife-related offense but was not on a terrorism watchlist.
Ensuring community safety was paramount, with police officers facing challenges as crowds assembled and turned violent after the incident. Commissioner Webb highlighted the injured officers and damaged vehicles, emphasizing the need for cooperation rather than confrontation. The incident prompted faith leaders from diverse religious backgrounds to issue a joint statement condemning violence and expressing solidarity with the victims.
Political leaders, including Prime Minister Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, called for calm and unity in response to the attack. They emphasized the importance of allowing law enforcement agencies to conduct thorough investigations and maintain public safety. The Australian Federal Police and national intelligence agency have been actively involved in assessing any potential security threats arising from the incident. The community, across religious and political lines, faces the task of working together to prevent such acts of violence and maintain a harmonious society.