Bishop Chooses Forgiveness Over Retaliation
A bishop in Australia, Mar Mari Emmanuel, is recuperating in the hospital after being stabbed during a church service, and he has extended forgiveness to his alleged attacker. The incident occurred at the Assyrian Christ the Good Shepherd church in Wakeley, where Emmanuel was delivering a sermon during a livestreamed service. Alongside him, a 39-year-old priest was also reportedly stabbed while trying to intervene, with other church members sustaining injuries in the altercation. Fortunately, all are expected to recover fully.
From his hospital bed, Bishop Emmanuel conveyed a message of hope and forgiveness, urging his supporters to exhibit Christlike behavior rather than harboring vengeful sentiments. He expressed forgiveness towards his assailant, declaring, “You’re my son. I love you, and I will always pray for you,” and extended forgiveness to whoever may have orchestrated the attack. Emmanuel emphasized the importance of love and peace, quoting scripture and urging adherence to Christian principles amidst the aftermath of the incident.
Despite tense protests outside the church following the stabbing, with reports indicating police intervention to disperse the crowd, Emmanuel reiterated the message of love and peace preached by the church. He emphasized the need for private prayer and cooperation with authorities, stressing that the church’s stance is one of love even in challenging circumstances. Fr. Daniel Kochou, speaking on behalf of the church, underscored the importance of assisting authorities in their investigation and expressed gratitude to first responders for their swift action and assistance during the ordeal.
In Sydney, Australia, authorities arrested a 15-year-old suspect in connection with the stabbing, which targeted the priest and three others during the Orthodox Assyrian Church service. As investigations continue, the church community remains steadfast in their commitment to love, forgiveness, and cooperation with law enforcement.