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Australia: Church Leader Forgives Teenager Who Stabbed Him In The Eye During Worship Service

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – An Australian Assyrian church leader who was stabbed in the eye among other parts of his body during a livestream worship service on Apr. 15 has already returned to the pulpit saying he forgives the attacker, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel of Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Sydney, was stabbed by a 16-year-old boy whose parents have since stated he has a history of mental illness and anger management issues. The boy, whose identity has not been made public, has been arrested on charges of terrorism and involvement with an Islamic extremist group.

Wearing a patch to cover the eye that was blinded during the attack, Bishop Emmanuel returned to the pulpit on Sunday Apr. 28. During his address to the congregation, the Bishop expressed his love for his attacker and his forgiveness.

“He will always be my son,” the bishop said. “I will always pray for you. I will always wish you nothing but the best.”

“This is our Christian faith, but above all, this is our Christ, who is all,” the Bishop attested. “And always taught to love one another, because God is love, and the Lord Jesus, he is God, revealed in the flesh, period. He taught us to love everyone without any differentiation. This will never change.”