Finger of alleged attacker severed after altercation with bishop; politicians and leaders call for calm

Police have confirmed a finger of the teen who allegedly stabbed a southwestern Sydney bishop has been severed in the aftermath of the attack. It comes as his history with police can be revealed.

A 16-year-old alleged terrorist had his finger severed, in the process of stabbing a religious leader in Sydney’s west on Monday evening.

Police sources have confirmed at least one of the teenager’s fingers were severed in the moments after he allegedly stabbed Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel at Christ the Good Shepherd Church about 7pm on Monday.

Photos circulating that show all four fingers of a hand being cut off however, are understood to be fake.

What followed the attack was pandemonium, as an angry mob of thousands surrounded the church, attacked police and destroyed police cars two days after the city was rocked by a knife massacre at Bondi Junction.

A man is held down by churchgoers after a stabbing in Wakeley.

Vision has emerged of a bishop appearing to be stabbed during a service.at The Good Shepard Church in Sydney. Picture: Twitter

It can also be revealed the alleged teenage terrorist responsible for Monday night’s stabbing attack had previously been charged by police with knife offences.

Police sources confirmed while the 15-year-old was not on a terrorist watch list, he had been arrested on numerous occasions in recent years for allegedly possessing a knife.

Meanwhile, Sky News has reported he had been suspended from school in 2020 for carrying a knife.

‘Remain calm’: Politicians’ pleas after ‘disturbing’ attack on bishop

Political leaders have called for “calm” across Sydney after wild scenes and a mob mentality followed an attack on a popular Assyrian Christian leader.

The pleas came as Sydney was already on tenterhooks following the Bondi Junction stabbing attack on Saturday, with a heightened sense among leaders about the febrile atmosphere across the city.

Political leaders were acutely aware on Monday night that tensions in Wakeley were at boiling point.

Premier Chris Minns received a briefing from NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb late on Monday night about the attack at Christ the Good Shepherd Church at Wakeley, in Sydney’s west, before covering a snap meeting with religious leaders at 10:30pm.

Mr Minns met with seven faith leaders including those from the Assyrian, Muslim, Maronite and Melkite communities, and that all had supported “a unanimous condemnation of violence in any form.”

Premier Chris Minns joined faith leaders to condemn the violence. Picture: Monique Harmer

The group urged community members to listen to emergency services and to remain “calm”.

“We’re calling on everyone to act with kindness and respect for each other,” Mr Minns said in a statement.

“Now is the time to show that we are strong and united as a NSW community.”

Earlier, Mr Minns described the scenes outside the church after Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and several other parishioners were stabbed as “disturbing”.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and first responders who are working to keep us safe,” he said.

“It’s important that the community remain calm and continue to listen and act to the directions of Police and Emergency Services. We are a strong community in NSW and it’s important that we all stick together, particularly in the face of adversity,” he said.

Disturbing scenes tonight in Wakeley tonight.

I have received a briefing from the Commissioner of Police and NSW Health on the situation.

My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and first responders who are working to keep us safe.

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— Chris Minns (@ChrisMinnsMP) April 15, 2024

Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone said the stabbing attack church was “horrific” but said the way the angry mob had reacted was “not on”.

“I understand that there are many people justifiably upset in our community, and to have this happen in a church,” Mr Carbone said.

The crowd outside the Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Sydney's western suburb of Wakeley. Picture: David Gray / AFP

“This is just not on in our community. We live in difficult times, we’ve seen what recently happened in Bondi, so many people are now on the edge. I’m just asking for people to just be calm.

“I understand their anger, but we need to give the police the opportunity to deal with it and say a few prayers for the bishop as well.”

Local federal MP Dai Le said she was “praying for the safe and speedy recovery” of the religious leader.

“He’s a wonderful bishop. I have seen his work and his love for his community and congregation. While we are all shocked, we have faith in our multi-faith and multicultural community to get through this.”

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Originally published as Finger of alleged attacker severed after altercation with bishop; politicians and leaders call for calm