The frenzied attack left the teen with a finger cut off,sustained during the act of stabbing,Premier Chris Minns said,while police and ambulance officers were trapped inside the church for hours as hundreds rioted outside.
In a lengthy audio message released on Thursday,Emmanuel told his “beloved faithful” he had forgiven his attacker.
“I forgive whoever has done this act,I say to him,‘You are my son,I love you,I will always pray for you,’ ” he said,adding he also forgave “whoever sent you to do this”.
Police on Wednesday made their first arrest of one of the hundreds who gathered at the church in the aftermath of the stabbing and allegedly threw projectiles at officers and damaged 51 police cars.
Dani Mansour,19,was granted bail with strict home detention conditions on Thursday,after he was arrested at Doonside and charged with riot,affray and destroy/damage property during public disorder.