The Bishop who was stabbed multiple times during a live-streamed church service has shared a shocking message for his alleged attacker.
Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was delivering a service at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley on Monday when a figure was seen on video approaching and allegedly attacking the 55-year-old preacher.
Speaking from his hospital bed on Thursday morning, the Bishop delivered a message to the alleged attacker.
“I say to him, you’re my son, I love you. And I will always pray for you,” he said in an audio message shared to the Church’s social media.
“And whoever sent you to do this, I forgive them as well. In Jesus mighty name. I have nothing in my heart but love for everyone.
“Whether that person is a Christian or not, it’s totally beside the point. The Lord Jesus always taught us to love one another…
“And for this young man, I say to you, you’re my son, and you will always be, my praise my the Lord Jesus.”
A 16-year-old boy has been under police guard since Monday night’s alleged stabbing attack. No charges have been laid.
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley told Sky News that while police remained at the hospital with the 16-year-old, “conversations had not yet taken place”.
Counter-terrorism police were at the hospital ready to interview the teen once he is released by medical staff, with the lengthy process expected to lead to charges being laid.
The boy has undergone surgery in relation to the severed finger and could require further operations, according to Ms Catley.
Riots lead to arrests
Chaos erupted after the alleged church attack, with an estimated 2000 people swarming the church and the surrounding streets in the hours after the incident.
Police cars were smashed and multiple police officers suffered injuries.
Footage from the night shows a giant crowd surrounding the church chanting: “Bring him out.”
Paramedics rushing to help the injured also confronted a hostile crowd and faced direct threats.
At one point, some paramedics were unable to leave the church for three-and-a-half hours, with paramedics describing the scenes as terrifying and extremely violent.
Police Commissioner Karen Webb vowed to find and arrest the persons responsible for the riot, launching Strike Force Dribbs.
“It might not be today. It might not be tomorrow. But we’ll find you and we’ll come and arrest you,” she said.
The first arrest happened on Wednesday at 5.40pm at a home on Powers Rd, in Doonside.
Police arrested a 19-year-old man, who has been taken to Blacktown Police Station.
The investigation is continuing.