A bishop who was stabbed during a service in Australia has said he is recovering quickly and that he has forgiven his attacker as police ramp up investigations into riots triggered by the attack.
Two knife attacks within three days - at a busy shopping centre near Bondi beach that killed six people on Saturday and at the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church in western Sydney on Monday - has shocked residents of Australia's most populous city.
"I am doing fine, recovering very quickly ... there is no need to be worried or concerned," Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel said in an audio message posted on social media, his first public comments since the attack.
"I forgive whoever has done this act ... I will always pray for you and whoever sent you to do this, I forgive them as well."
Bishop Emmanuel, who has a popular youth following on TikTok, has criticised homosexuality, Covid-19 vaccinations and Islam in his sermons,
The attack has been deemed a terrorist act motivated by suspected religious extremism.
A male teenager has been arrested and the bishop is in hospital under police guard.
An angry crowd fought emergency crews outside the church, demanding that the suspected attacker be handed over to them.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb said a 19-year-old man, who was not a member of the church, was charged in connection with his role in the riot.
"People just came along to participate in a riot. That is disgraceful and disgusting," Commissioner Webb said.
More detectives have been assigned to investigate the riot, which injured about 50 officers and damaged 20 police cars.
Bishop Emmanuel, in his message, urged his congregation to remain calm and respect the law.
As police investigate, the Bondi shopping centre reopened to allow people inside to pay their respects to the victims, with stores remaining closed and a white floral tribute laid out on the second floor.
Businesses are expected to resume trade from tomorrow.
"We've gone from shock to disbelief to now grief, and it's gonna take quite a time for people to be able to process," Mayor of the local council Paula Masselos told ABC television.
A candlelight vigil will be held on Sunday, she said, as flowers and bouquets pile up at a makeshift memorial.
