Australian police have arrested and charged five teenagers in connection with the stabbing of a Sydney bishop at the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley. The attack occurred a few days ago during an evening sermon, with a 16-year-old stabbing Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, sending shockwaves through the local community.
The juveniles, aged 14 to 17 years, were associates of the 16-year-old boy accused of the stabbing, according to police reports. They face a variety of charges, including “conspiring to engage in any act in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act.” Additional charges include possession or control of violent extremist material. All five teenagers have been denied bail.
The investigation and subsequent arrests were carried out by a joint counterterrorism task force, involving the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. The task force conducted 13 raids across Sydney and in the regional town of Goulburn, seizing a substantial amount of electronic material.
Following the arrests, New South Wales state Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson assured the public that there is no ongoing threat to the community. “The action we have taken has mitigated any risk of future or further harm,” he said during a news conference.
In a remarkable display of forgiveness, Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel posted a YouTube video stating, “I forgive whoever has done this act and I say to him: You are my son, I love you, and I will always pray for you.” Despite the trauma and disruption caused by the incident, the bishop’s message resonated with many, emphasizing the power of compassion and reconciliation in the face of violence.
