The bishop of the Ancient Eastern Assyrian Church, Mar Mari Emmanuel, who was stabbed in an attack targeting him inside his church in Sydney, announced that he is recovering. In a voice message, he stated, "I forgive the one who committed this act and say to him, you are my son," adding, "I love you and I will always pray for you. And for the one who sent you to do what you did, I forgive him too."
It is noteworthy that the attack took place on Monday evening at the Assyrian Good Shepherd Church while the bishop was delivering a sermon that was broadcast live online. In front of worshippers inside the church and online viewers, the attacker lunged at the bishop with a knife, stabbing him in the head and chest. He was taken to the hospital for treatment along with the attacker and three other individuals, all of whom sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
