Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, the Assyrian-Australian cleric who survived a violent stabbing during a live-streamed sermon in April 2024, has made a remarkable return to his ministry. Despite sustaining serious injuries, including the loss of vision in his right eye, he resumed preaching at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, Sydney, just two weeks after the attack.
The Attack and Aftermath
On April 15, 2024, during an evening service, a 16-year-old boy allegedly approached the pulpit and stabbed Bishop Emmanuel multiple times. The incident, captured on a live stream, also resulted in injuries to Father Isaac Royel and a congregant who intervened . The attack was classified as a terrorist act motivated by religious extremism, leading to the teenager being charged with terrorism offences.
Return to the Pulpit
On April 28, 2024, Bishop Emmanuel returned to deliver his first sermon since the attack. Wearing an eye patch, he addressed his congregation with messages of forgiveness and resilience. He referred to his attacker as “like a son” and expressed his intention to continue praying for him.
Advocacy for Free Speech
In his sermon, Bishop Emmanuel also touched on broader issues concerning freedom of speech and religion. He criticized the Australian government’s attempts to remove footage of the attack from social media platforms, arguing that such actions threaten global free speech principles.
Current Status
As of now, Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel continues to lead his congregation at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley. Despite the trauma he endured, he remains committed to his ministry and to advocating for religious freedom and open dialogue.
