A church bishop, stabbed during a service in Sydney’s west, stated Thursday he was recovering swiftly and had forgiven his attacker. Police are intensifying investigations into the riots sparked by the stabbing.
This comes as the city of Sydney grapples with two separate acts of violence. First, a knife massacre unfolded in a bustling shopping mall that resulted in the death of six people. A few days later, another incident shook the country as a Sydney church became the scene of an attack.
“I am doing fine, recovering very quickly … there is no need to be worried or concerned,” Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel said in an audio message posted on social media, his first public comments since the attack. “I forgive whoever has done this act … I will always pray for you and whoever sent you to do this, I forgive them as well.”
Bishop Emmanuel, who has a popular youth following on TikTok and had criticised homosexuality, covid vaccinations and Islam in his sermons, was injured in the attack, which has been deemed a terrorist act motivated by suspected religious extremism.
Both stabbing incidents swiftly became the subject of rampant speculation, with online platforms awash with conjecture regarding the assailants’ identities, religious affiliations, and motives. This surge of disinformation only served to inflame an already tense atmosphere, prompting ongoing efforts from authorities, religious leaders, and community figures to restore calm and unity amidst the turmoil.
“In many instances, malicious information about damage to mosques and churches was being spread like wildfire and inflaming tensions in the community,” said New South Wales (NSW) State Premier Chris Minns on Thursday. “I’m still concerned about graphic, violent imagery being available on public domain websites, major websites, 48 hours after the incident had occurred.”
A male teenager has been arrested in the attack on the bishop and is in the hospital under police guard. An angry crowd fought emergency crews outside the church, demanding that the suspected attacker be handed over to them. New South Wales state Police Commissioner Karen Webb said a 19-year-old man, who was not a member of the church, was charged in connection with his role in the riot. “People just came along to participate in a riot. That is disgraceful and disgusting,” Webb said during a news briefing.
More detectives have been assigned to investigate the riot, which injured about 50 officers and damaged 20 police cars. Bishop Emmanuel, in his message, urged his congregation to remain calm and respect the law. As police investigate, the Bondi mall reopened on Thursday to allow people inside to pay their respects to the victims, with stores remaining closed and a white floral tribute laid out on the second floor. Businesses are expected to resume trade starting Friday.
“We’ve gone from shock to disbelief to now grief, and it’s gonna take quite a time for people to be able to process,” Paula Masselos, mayor of the local council, told ABC television. A candlelight vigil will be held on Sunday, she said, as flowers and bouquets pile up at a makeshift memorial.
(With agency inputs)
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