In a tragic incident at the Good Shepherd Church in Sydney’s suburbian city of Wakeley, a bishop and multiple worshippers were attacked during a Monday evening sermon. The assailant stabbed the bishop multiple times, causing chaos and panic among the congregation as they rushed to his aid.
The bishop’s fall to the floor following the attack prompted screams from worshippers, highlighting the shock and horror of the violent assault. Emergency services responded swiftly, with four individuals, aged between 20 and 70, being treated for “non-life threatening injuries,” including lacerations.
Authorities have apprehended a suspect in connection with the incident, as investigations into the motive behind the attack unfold. The assault comes just 48 hours after a separate tragic event in Sydney, where six individuals were killed by a knifeman at Westfield Bondi Junction, underscoring the city’s recent spate of violence.
The Wakeley neighborhood, home to Sydney’s small Christian Assyrian community, has been left reeling from the attack, with many residents having fled persecution and conflict in Iraq and Syria. The incident adds to the sense of unease and concern gripping the city in the aftermath of recent violent incidents.
Earlier in the week, six people were killed in a stabbing spree at a Sydney mall, perpetrated by Joel Cauchi, who authorities say suffered from mental health issues. While investigations into the Wakeley church attack are ongoing, authorities are not treating it as terrorism-related, emphasizing the importance of addressing mental health issues within the community.
