WelCom May 2024
The stabbing of Assyrian Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and Fr Isaac Royel is ‘shocking and has caused distress to many in the community,’ says Sydney Catholic Archbishop, Anthony Fisher op.
A 16-year-old boy stabbed and injured the two men at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in the suburb of Wakely, Sydney, on 15 April. The attacker was arrested, and his victims are expected to survive.
‘It does appear to be religiously motivated, but we continue our lines of investigation,’ said Mike Burgess, the director general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.
In a statement, Archbishop Fisher said houses of prayer have traditionally been places of refuge and sanctuary, ‘and so the [live-streaming] video footage of the attack upon a religious leader during a religious service inside a church has been especially confronting’.
Archbishop Fisher said every person in Australia should be able to worship in safety, without fear that they might be subject to acts of violence while gathering in prayer.
‘I urge the faithful to not respond to these events with fear, avoiding places of worship because they are worried about further attacks, nor with anger, engaging in acts of reprisal or revenge. The best response to violence and fear is prayer and peace.’
Maronite Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay said the Maronites ‘unequivocally denounce violence in all its forms and expresses deep concern over the incidents’.
‘We call on everyone to remain calm, refrain from resorting to violence or retaliatory behaviours, and engaging in gossip and speculation,’ he said in a statement.
Source: Crux