He lost an important sense.
In recent events at Wakeley, Australia, an Assyrian bishop faced a harrowing ordeal during a sermon at the Assyrian Christ the Good Shepherd church earlier this month. Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, the target of a stabbing incident on April 15, revealed the extent of his injuries, including visual impairment in one eye resulting from the attack.
Two weeks post-assault, Bishop Emmanuel, donning an eyepatch over his injured eye, addressed the congregation during a Sunday evening service, delivering sermons in both Arabic and English. Amidst his Arabic discourse, he contextualized his eye injury as a “sacrifice” and a demonstration of love towards Muslims, expressing forgiveness towards his assailant.
Emmanuel’s sentiments extended to the realm of freedom of speech amidst a legal dispute between the Australian government and the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Defending the fundamental rights of expression and religion, he emphasized the importance of civilized discourse, even when opinions may clash.
Furthermore, Emmanuel reiterated his forgiveness towards the attacker, echoing sentiments previously conveyed in an audio statement released by the church shortly after the incident. Despite the tumultuous aftermath, the bishop urged peace and Christlike behavior among his followers, discouraging retaliation and violence.
The incident sparked protests outside the church, leading to confrontations with law enforcement and subsequent arrests. The alleged perpetrator, a 16-year-old boy, faces terrorism charges, with authorities also apprehending seven teenagers suspected of involvement in an extremist network linked to the assailant.
Amidst the turmoil, Bishop Emmanuel’s unwavering message of forgiveness and peace stands as a beacon of resilience, advocating for understanding and compassion in the face of adversity.