The police explained that the wounds of the four injured “do not threaten their lives,” noting that among those wounded were the bishop of the church and the attacker.
The attack occurred on Monday evening in the Assyrian Church of the Good Shepherd while the elderly bishop was delivering a sermon, the facts of which were broadcast live in video and audio over the Internet.
In full view of the worshipers inside the church and those following the sermon online, the attacker attacked the bishop of the ancient Eastern Assyrian Church, Bishop Mary Emmanuel, with his knife, in a brutal attack that sparked a state of overwhelming panic and anger.
Terrorist act
During a press conference on Tuesday, New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb said, “After taking all the elements into account, I declared it was an act of terrorism.”
She added that the investigation concluded that the attack was an “extremist” act motivated by religious motives.
She explained that the suspect was “known to the police” but was not included on any list designated for monitoring terrorists.
The Church of the Good Shepherd is located in the suburb of Weakley, western Sydney.
This neighborhood is home to a small group of Assyrian Christians, a large number of whom fled persecution and war in Iraq and Syria.
A tense atmosphere prevailed outside the church after the attack, as hundreds of residents tried to penetrate a riot police squad to reach the suspect.
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