A bishop who was allegedly stabbed in the middle of a sermon that was being livestreamed online says that he’s doing ‘fine’ and has forgiven his alleged attacker.
Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was preaching at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley in Sydney’s south-west on Monday night when a 16-year-old boy walked up to the altar before allegedly stabbing him repeatedly.
Bishop Emmanuel was rushed to Liverpool Hospital, where he spent the last few days recovering.
He broke his silence from his hospital bed in a recorded statement released by the church on Thursday morning.
The bishop assured everyone that he was recovering ‘very quickly’ and that there was no need to be concerned or worried about him.
He also issued a plea in the wake of the riots in the immediate aftermath of the alleged attack, urging everyone to act ‘Christ-like’.
Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel has spoken for the first time since the alleged attack
Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel (pictured right during the alleged attack) has spent his third night in hospital. ‘I’m doing fine,’ he said.
‘The Lord Jesus never taught us to fight. The Lord Jesus never taught us to retaliate,’ Bishop Emmanuel said.
‘The Lord Jesus never said to us an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
‘The Lord Jesus said, ‘Never return evil with evil but to return evil with good.
‘So my beloveds, I want you to be calm.
‘We need to be always law abiding citizens as well.
‘Above all, we are Christians and we need to act like it.’
Bishop Emmanuel also had a poignant message for his alleged attacker, who also remains in hospital, telling the teen that he has forgiven him.
‘I say to him “You’re my son. I love you and I will always pray for you”,’ Bishop Emmanuel said.
‘And whoever sent you to do this, I forgive them as well.
‘I have nothing in my heart but love for everyone, whether that person is a Christian or not.
‘The Lord Jesus always told us to love one another.’
Bishop Emmanuel ended his four minute message by reminding worshippers to respect Australia’s laws.
‘God bless you all, we will see you soon and go back to our normal duties once again in serving the Lord from the heart.’
The update comes after Father Isaac Royal, who was also injured in the alleged attack, was released from hospital on Wednesday.
Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel said that he still loves and prays for his alleged attacker
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