Stabbing attack at Sydney church as police counter angry crowds

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The police helicopter circled overhead broadcasting the message: “All persons, please vacate the area immediately.”

Some projectiles were thrown at police throughout the night and footage shows several NSW Police vehicles with smashed windows and damaged panelling.

A constable was hit with a metal object and sustained a knee injury and a chipped tooth, while another constable suffered a broken jaw after he was hit with a brick and a fence paling, police said. They were taken to hospital for treatment.

One police officer, who is unable to be identified for safety reasons, told the Herald: “The crowd was attacking us, throwing things and being aggressive as we tried to help their bishop. I said to them, ‘we aren’t your enemy’.”

The church said Bishop Emmanuel and a senior priest were in a stable condition and appealed for calm.

“We ask for your prayers at this time,” the church said in a statement posted on social media.

“We also kindly ask anyone at the church to leave in peace as our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, teaches us.”

The stabbed bishop is the leader of an ultra-conservative sect of the Assyrian Orthodox faith who took on an outsized role in the Christian Lives Matter movement.

He preached fire and brimstone in services that were livestreamed and attracted hardline Christians for his anti-LGBTQ sermons and pandemic scepticism.

Fairfield deputy mayor Charbel Saliba was not present at the church but said witnesses had told him that after the bishop was stabbed, the religious leader “put his hand on the assailant and started praying”.

The identity of the offender is not known but police said the man had been taken to an “undisclosed location” following his arrest.

Minns urges community to stay calm

NSW Premier Chris Minns said the scenes were “disturbing”.

“I have received a briefing from the Commissioner of Police and NSW Health on the situation,” he said.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and first responders who are working to keep us safe.

“It’s important that the community remain calm and continue to listen and act to the directions of police and emergency services.

“We are a strong community in NSW and it’s important that we all stick together, particularly in the face of adversity.”

The Police Association NSW (PANSW) confirmed officers had been injured by projectiles thrown at officers.

“PANSW field organisers have been recalled and are now supporting injured members at hospitals and police stations as this event unfolds,” it said.

Political and faith leaders respond

Federal MP for Fowler Dai Le, whose south-west Sydney electorate includes the Christ The Good Shepherd Church, said her community was stunned by the stabbing, especially as it occurred only two days after the Westfield Bondi Junction mass stabbings.

“This has shocked us,” she said.

She described Emmanuel as a “wonderful bishop leading the Assyrian community”.

“He’s increased his followers tremendously,” she said.

Fowler has one of the country’s biggest Assyrian communities, including many members who fled war-torn Iraq for a safer life in Australia.

“We have one of the most multi-faith communities in country,” she said.“I do not believe we will be divided by this.”

The Australian National Imams Council said it and the Australian Muslim community “unequivocally condemns” the attack on the bishop.

“These attacks are horrifying and have no place in Australia, particularly at places of worship and towards religious leaders,” the organisation said in a statement.

“We urge the community to stay calm and work together towards the safety and security of Australians.”

Faith NSW chief executive Murray Norman said an attack on one faith was an attack on all, and that faith communities stood unified against hate and violence.

“During a week of mourning where we have seen the worst of humanity on display, this is yet another sobering reminder that we all need to do more to stamp out this vile conduct from our state,” he said.

“Incidents such as these will only strengthen our resolve and we will emerge stronger and more united.”

with AAP

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