SYDNEY  -   A bishop who was stabbed at a Sydney church on Monday has said he is “recovering quickly” and forgives his alleged attacker. In an audio message, Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel also called for the community to remain calm. Police say the attack, which was livestreamed and injured four people, was a religiously motivated terror act. It sparked a riot outside The Good Shepherd Church, where angry supporters of the bishop had gathered.

A 16-year-old boy - who was also injured - has been arrested over the incident, but has not been charged with any offence. Authorities have repeatedly declined to state the suspected beliefs of the boy.

Earlier this week, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation boss Mike Burgess said authorities were investigating videos that allegedly captured the suspect yelling in Arabic and referencing “the Prophet”. 

In Bishop Emmanuel’s four-minute clip, released by the church on social media on Thursday, he says he forgives “whoever has done this act”. 

“And I will always pray for you. And whoever sent you to do this, I forgive them as well in Jesus’s mighty name,” he said. He added that he was “doing fine” and “there is no need to be worried or concerned”.