Australian Police Declare Sydney Church Stabbing a Religious Terrorist Act
In a shocking turn of events, Australian police have labeled Monday’s stabbing at a Sydney church as a religiously motivated “terrorist act”.
The incident unfolded during mass at the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church, where a 16-year-old boy attacked a bishop, a priest, and churchgoers. At least four individuals sustained “non-life-threatening” injuries, including the attacker himself.
The entire ordeal was captured on a church livestream, sparking unrest in the suburb of Wakeley.
According to authorities, terror offenses are defined as ideologically driven. While investigations are ongoing, law enforcement is confident that this is a case of religious extremism.
Despite the clear religious undertones, authorities have refrained from specifying the religion of the alleged attacker.
The graphic videos of the attack circulated rapidly on social media, inciting anger and drawing a large crowd to the Assyrian Orthodox Church, located about 35km southwest of Sydney’s city center.
The situation escalated as hundreds of people clashed violently with police, resulting in injuries to two officers, one of whom suffered a broken jaw after being struck with a brick and fence palings. Additionally, 10 police cars were destroyed during the chaos.
Paramedics on the scene were also at risk, with some seeking refuge inside the church for over three hours due to safety concerns.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called for an emergency meeting of national security agencies in response to the “disturbing” attack, emphasizing that Australia is a nation that values peace and rejects violent extremism.
Addressing the public, Albanese urged against vigilantism, emphasizing the importance of upholding the law through legal channels.
Speaking to the media the following morning, New South Wales (NSW) Police Commissioner Karen Webb revealed that the bishop and priest were undergoing surgery and described them as fortunate to be alive.
The priest, Father Isaac Royel, and the bishop, Mar Mari Emmanuel, have been identified as the victims. Bishop Emmanuel, a popular and controversial figure ordained in 2011, has garnered millions of views for his sermons on social media.
Webb disclosed that the teenager made religiously charged comments to the bishop before the attack, with the intent to intimidate both in-person attendees and online viewers of the livestreamed service.
While the suspect acted alone and was previously known to law enforcement, he was not on any terror watchlist.
The alleged attacker underwent surgery for injuries to his fingers, though it remains unclear whether they were self-inflicted or sustained during his apprehension.
This incident occurred shortly after a separate stabbing at a Sydney shopping center left seven individuals dead, heightening anxiety within the NSW community.
State premier Chris Minns called for calm and echoed messages from religious and community leaders condemning violence in all forms.
Law enforcement has established a strike force to apprehend those involved in the riot, with a stern warning that perpetrators will face legal consequences.
The head of the NSW Ambulance condemned the unruly behavior of the crowds, emphasizing the need for community support for emergency responders.
Wakeley, the neighborhood where the church is located, serves as a sanctuary for Sydney’s Assyrian community, many of whom have escaped persecution and conflict in Iraq and Syria.
Bishop Emmanuel, a respected leader in the community, has faced internal challenges within the Assyrian Church but remains highly regarded by locals.
In light of his outspoken views against Covid-19 restrictions and vaccines, Bishop Emmanuel’s public stance has stirred controversy and garnered both support and criticism. — BBC
