Isaac Royel: Shaken priest emerges from hospital after he was allegedly stabbed alongside bishop in alleged terror attack by a 16-year-old boy – as cops make first arrest in the hunt for rioters
The priest who was stabbed along with a bishop in an alleged ‘act of terror’ in Sydney has been released from hospital and appears to be in good spirits.
Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was allegedly stabbed several times by a 16-year-old boy while he was delivering a sermon at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley on Monday evening.
Father Isaac Royel suffered injuries to his hand and was supposed to come to the bishop’s aid.
He walked out of Liverpool hospital on Wednesday and was seen waving at an excited neighbor with a bandage on his hand.
Bishop Emmanuel is in stable condition in hospital after undergoing surgery on Tuesday.
The incident sparked a riot outside the church on Monday, with a crowd of 2,000 people chanting “bring him out” and “an eye for an eye” as police kept the alleged knifeman inside the building out of fear for his own safety.
On Wednesday evening, police announced they had arrested a 19-year-old man – the first to be prosecuted over the ‘public order incident’. Charges have yet to be imposed.
Father Isaac Royal (pictured right, next to Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel) was released from hospital on Monday evening after being injured in an alleged ‘act of terror’
During the commotion, projectiles were thrown at officers, about fifty police vehicles were damaged and property was stolen.
Two police officers were taken to hospital after being injured by members of the crowd who “invaded a number of houses to obtain weapons to throw at the police.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has criticized those who attacked police cars after last night’s terror attack in Sydney.
“I certainly understand the need and concerns that exist, especially after the tragic event in Bondi,” he said.
“But it is completely unacceptable to hinder and injure police in the execution of their duty, or to damage police vehicles in the way that happened last night,” he exclaimed.
Mr Albanese called on the public to remain calm.
The priest was injured in his hand and shoulder when he tried to pull a 16-year-old who allegedly stabbed Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel during a livestream incident (photo)
Father Royel was seen walking from the hospital on Wednesday afternoon and waving at an excited neighbor with a bandage wrapped around his hand (photo)
The teenager accused of carrying out the attack reportedly made a series of religious comments to a group of parishioners moments after the bishop was stabbed.
An Arabic translation of his remarks reads: “If he had not sworn against my prophet, I would not be here. If he didn’t interfere with my religion, I wouldn’t be here.’
He has been taken to an unknown location where he remains under police guard.
Police confirmed the 16-year-old had undergone surgery for serious injuries to his hands after rumors spread that he had lost a finger during the alleged attack.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb labeled the attack on Bishop a “terrorist incident” that was “centered around religion”.
She said the suspect was known to police but was not on a terror watch list.
“We will argue that there is some degree of premeditation. This individual traveled to that location… He traveled with a knife and then the bishop and the priest were stabbed,” Commissioner Webb said Tuesday.
“They’re lucky to be alive.”
Commissioner Webb’s decision led to the establishment of a joint Counter Terrorism Team to investigate the incident
The team includes members of the NSW Police Force, Australian Federal Police, Australian Security Intelligence Organization and NSW Crime Commission.
The attack sparked mass unrest as angry gangsters stormed the church and clashed with police as they tried to reach the accused teenager who arrived at the scene hours later.
NSW Police arrested a 19-year-old man for the first time in connection with the riots on Wednesday afternoon, after Commissioner Webb labeled the attack on Bishop a “terrorist incident”.
Given the young age of the accused knifeman, some have questioned the decision to label the incident as terror-related, highlighting that mental health may have been the overarching cause.
However, NSW Premier Chris Minns said he was comfortable with the police’s decision.
“It is very important to note, and I have made this clear to the community leaders I have spoken to today, that this is not an indication of the person of interest who is currently in police custody,” he told ABC’s 7.30 Report.
‘This is a designation that is required under the legislation to unlock powers for that investigation, and the police have made that assessment. This is not a performative gesture.”
Mr Minns said Commissioner Webb made the decision ‘based on information indicating a religiously motivated attack’, which was also alleged to have been premeditated.
When asked whether the decision had been made correctly, the Prime Minister said: “I believe so.”
“This is a judgement,” he added. “My judgment is that it was the right decision last night.”