An Assyrian Orthodox Church bishop who was stabbed during a live-streamed church service in Sydney had spoken critically about Islam in a video recorded four months ago.
Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was preaching at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, in Sydney’s west, shortly after 7pm on Monday when a 16-year-old boy approached the altar and allegedly stabbed him several times.
In another video from the aftermath of the alleged terrorist attack, the boy said in Arabic: “If they hadn’t insulted my prophet, I wouldn’t have come here.” If he hadn’t gotten involved in my religion, he wouldn’t have come here.’
Parishioners said he also repeatedly used the Islamic phrase ‘Allahu Akbar’.
The teenager’s comment about an attack on his prophet was possibly referring to the bishop’s appearance in a video made last December for the PBD Podcast, hosted by American host Patrick Bet-David.
In the podcast, Bishop Emmanuel questioned Islamic beliefs around Jesus, whom he calls Isa, and said that “the truth hurts.”
Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was preaching at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, in Sydney’s west, shortly after 7pm on Monday when a 16-year-old boy approached the altar and allegedly stabbed him several times.
READ MORE: The miracle that saved the life of Bishop Mar Marie Emmanuel and prevented his alleged attacker from killing him – ‘Act of God’
The alleged killer (pictured, subject) has been labeled by police as a suspected terrorist.
‘Your book (the Quran) says that Isa, son of Mary, ascended alive to Heaven and will return to judge the dead and the living.
‘If I ask a Muslim “Who judges?”, he will say God.
‘Well, you’re telling me that this prophet (Muhammad) will judge, so which is which? Has the prophet taken on the role of God, has God gone on vacation and come and taken over from him?
The bishop said: ‘Isa is the living messiah, even it (the Quran) says so.’
‘Now let me ask you, my dear Muslim, if you are claiming that Isa is a prophet, then why do all the other prophets that you believe in, do you believe in Moses, do you believe in Isa, do you believe in all the prophets of the old Testament.
‘How come none of the Old Testament prophets were called “The Word of God” except Isa? Because?’
Bishop Emmanuel then spoke about the birth of Jesus to Mary and how he is the son of God.
‘How is it that every prophet and every human being on the face of this planet was born of an earthly father and an earthly mother, and yet Jesus, son of Mary, was born in a virgin birth?’ he said.
‘He has an earthly mother, but he does not have an earthly father. Because his father (is) in heaven.’
The outspoken bishop added that “the real reason Muhammad failed is because he is dead. His book says that…
‘I know the truth hurts. I don’t offend people, I tell the truth. And if it offends you, I’m very sorry. No. I’m not sorry.’
He later told his fellow panelists on the podcast that ‘When you go to heaven, I can assure you… Muhammad will not greet you, Buddha will not greet you, (Hindu deity) Krishna will not greet you, because they will not greet you. .
‘There will be only one, who is the way, the truth and the life, it will be Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who died for you and me.’
Bishop Emmanuel prayed for his alleged attacker moments after he was wounded Monday night.
The New South Wales Ambulance Service said four people were injured in the incident.
After the attack, an angry mob of about 2,000 people swarmed near the church, riots broke out and police struggled to maintain order.
A mob gathered outside Christ the Good Shepherd Church (pictured) in Wakeley after the incident, resulting in several more injuries.
Ultimately, more than 100 police officers were called in to deal with the unrest and two were taken to hospital with injuries, police said.
Both the bishop and his alleged attacker underwent surgery on Tuesday morning.
The suspected teenage terrorist is understood to have cut his finger during the alleged attack.
ASIO chief Mike Burgess said the attack “appears to be religiously motivated but we are continuing our lines of enquiry”.
On the podcast, Bishop Emmanuel (pictured) questioned Islamic beliefs around Jesus, whom he calls Isa, and said “the truth hurts.”