Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, a prominent figure in the Assyrian Orthodox community and leader of Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, Western Sydney, was the victim of a stabbing incident during a mass service.
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The 53-year-old bishop suffered head lacerations after being attacked during the church service, which was being broadcast online. Thankfully, he survived the ordeal after undergoing surgery.
Bishop Emmanuel, known for his charismatic and controversial persona, gained attention during the COVID-19 pandemic for his outspoken views against lockdown measures.
Born in Baghdad, he migrated to Australia as a child. In 2014, the Wakeley church separated from the main Assyrian Church of The East due to theological differences that led to the bishop’s excommunication.
He became a priest in 2009 and was ordained as a bishop in 2011. His sermons, broadcast on social media platforms, have amassed a significant following of 240,000. However, Bishop Emmanuel has faced criticism for his anti-LGBTQ and anti-non-Christian religious views.
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Despite controversies, he remains popular among Assyrian communities, drawing parishioners from areas like Liverpool and Fairfield.
The Assyrian Church of the East, to which Christ The Good Shepherd Church belongs, is a distinct Christian denomination with roots in Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Turkey.
Services at the Wakeley church cater to both English and Assyrian-speaking attendees, offering Sunday school classes and youth ministry programs. Bishop Emmanuel’s influence extends beyond Australia, as evidenced by his preaching engagements in the United States.
The bishop’s stabbing shocked the community, shedding light on both his influence and the Assyrian Orthodox faith in Sydney.
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