The Orthodox bishop who was attacked in an Australian church said he is “fine” and told his attacker: “You are my son and you will always be in my prayers.”
Earlier this week, a young man entered the Church of Christ the Good Shepherd and stabbed Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel. The bishop is a leader of the Assyrian church, a branch of Eastern Christianity.
New South Wales Police have the suspect in custody, a 16-year-old boy whose identity has not been released due to laws protecting minor offenders.
The attack on the bishop was inadvertently broadcast live on his YouTube channel and occurred two days after a mass stabbing at an Australian shopping center in the Bondi area.
Priest Isaac Royel and other members of the church were also injured during the attack in their attempts to protect the bishop.
In a video message from the Church of Christ the Good Shepherd, Father Daniel Kochou confirmed that the bishop suffered “non-life-threatening injuries” and is “stable.”
The bishop said in the parish message, posted on YouTube, that “we must always be grateful to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ of Nazareth for the trials and tribulations we went through.”
“We are carrying the cross,” he said. “Let’s not forget it at all.”
Speaking from his hospital bed, the Orthodox bishop confirmed that he is “recovering very quickly” and said there is “no need to worry or fret.”
“To this young man, I tell you, you are my son, and you will always be in my prayers,” he said, addressing his attacker. “May the Lord Jesus forgive you, may the Lord Jesus bless you and show you the way, my dear son.”
“I forgive whoever did this act, and I tell him that you are my son, I love you and I will always pray for you,” he continued. “And whoever sent you to do this, I forgive them too.”
Emmanuel emphasized that he has “nothing in my heart but love for everyone,” noting that Jesus taught that Christians should love their neighbours as themselves.