SYDNEY. Sydney witnessed yet another mass stabbing, this time during a church service in the suburb of Wakeley on Monday. The attack, which left at least four people wounded, including a bishop, has sent shockwaves through the community, reigniting fears following a similar incident just three days prior in the Bondi area.
Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of horror as a man, yet to be identified, launched a knife attack during the service at Christ The Good Shepherd Church. Videos circulating online captured the chilling moment when the assailant, clad in a black jumper, approached the altar and viciously stabbed Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel multiple times, sending the congregation into a frenzy of screams and panic.
In the aftermath of the attack, tensions escalated outside the church as enraged residents clashed with police, demanding justice. Authorities swiftly apprehended a suspect and transported him to an undisclosed location for questioning.
While the motive behind the attack remains unclear, the community has rallied around the injured, including Bishop Emmanuel and Father Isaac Royel, both of whom were among those harmed. The New South Wales ambulance service confirmed that the wounded, though suffering non-life-threatening injuries, required immediate medical attention.
Bishop Emmanuel, a prominent figure in the Assyrian church, has garnered widespread attention on social media for his impassioned sermons. However, his outspoken views, particularly regarding COVID-19 lockdowns and the origins of international organizations, have stirred controversy in the past.
The incident has prompted swift condemnation from various religious and community leaders, with calls for unity and calm echoing across social media platforms. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns urged the community to remain composed and cooperate with law enforcement efforts in the wake of the tragedy.
As the investigation unfolds, Sydney grapples with the sobering reality of violence invading sacred spaces, leaving scars that will undoubtedly take time to heal.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
