In a powerful and emotional sermon, Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, who was stabbed in an alleged terror attack at the Christ the Good Shepherd Church in western Sydney, delivered a fervent defense of freedom of speech and religion. Returning to the pulpit wearing a white eye patch and carrying a gold cross, the Bishop passionately called out Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and emphasized the importance of preserving these fundamental rights in a democratic country.

Expressing his disbelief, Bishop Emmanuel stated, "I cannot fathom how freedom of speech could not be possible in a democratic country." He urged the Australian government, specifically addressing Prime Minister Albanese, to recognize and uphold the integrity and identity of every human being as a God-given gift. The Bishop emphasized that all individuals, including Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Atheists, and Christians, have the right to express their beliefs freely.

Bishop Emmanuel questioned the notion that free speech is dangerous or incompatible with democracy. He stressed the importance of civil discourse, even if opinions may be offensive or controversial at times. He firmly stated, "We should be able as civilized human beings, as intellectuals, to criticize, to speak, and not fear for our lives or face threats."

The Bishop emphasized the need for a civilized and intellectual approach to such events, sharing that even if his Christian faith were criticized or attacked, he would respond with forgiveness and blessings. He argued against censorship, asserting that it contradicts the principles of democracy, humanity, integrity, morals, ethics, and the values that the Western world has fought for in terms of human rights.

The alleged Wakeley terror attack, in which a 16-year-old boy stabbed the Bishop during a livestreamed sermon, sparked a national debate on the limitations of freedom of expression. Videos of the violence quickly spread online, prompting Australian eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant to order social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to remove certain posts related to the attack. X's Global Governance Affairs division has declared that they will challenge the take-down order, stating that it infringes upon the principles of a free and open internet and threatens free speech globally.

Remarkably, Bishop Emmanuel expressed support for X and defended Australians' right to access content related to the attack. His message resonated with the congregants of Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, as they gasped and erupted into applause upon his return to the pulpit on Sunday evening.

The Bishop's sermon also reflected on the significance of Palm Sunday. Quoting from the Bible, he emphasized the power of love, stating, "Love never fails." He reminded his followers that their Christian faith teaches them to love unconditionally, without any differentiation.

In a heartfelt message, Bishop Emmanuel addressed the alleged attacker, referring to him as his son. He expressed forgiveness, love, and a continued commitment to pray for him. The Bishop's sermon, delivered in both Arabic and English, aimed to unite his congregation and promote understanding and compassion among different faiths.

The Bishop's return to the pulpit after the traumatic incident showcased his resilience and unwavering commitment to his congregation and the ideals of freedom and love. His passionate sermon highlights the ongoing debate around the appropriate boundaries of free expression, sparking reflection among Australians about the values they cherish as a nation.