Fatal stabbing at Sydney Scientology church
Teenage knifeman reportedly tried to enter while mother was undergoing ‘purification ceremony’
A man has been stabbed to death and another person injured at a Scientology centre in Sydney while attempting to stop a teenager who was trying to force his way in to see his mother, according to reports.
The 16-year-old boy was apprehended by police at the religious order’s sprawling Australian headquarters in the northern suburb of Chatswood on Thursday. He is believed to have attacked the two church members as they attempted to remove him from the 145,300-sq-ft compound.
The teen had reportedly been involved in a “domestic” altercation on the premises the previous day.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A 24-year-old man from Taiwan, described by the Church as a “beloved” member, died after being stabbed in the neck. A 30-year-old church member also sustained lacerations to his hands.
The teenage assailant, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was “led away by police with his cuffed hands inside evidence bags”, says The Sydney Morning Herald.
He has undergone a mental health assessment, and is expected to be charged.
The newspaper reports that the boy had been “trying to visit his mother who was undergoing a so-called purification ceremony” at the centre.
The Church of Scientology describes purification as a detoxification programme that “enables an individual to rid himself of the harmful effects of drugs, toxins and other chemicals that lodge in the body and create a biochemical barrier to spiritual well-being”.
The Church’s controversial practices have been the subject of numerous books and documentaries.
A former Scientologist told 9News that “Taiwanese members attract a significant amount of money to the religion”, and clamed the church would be in “total damage control”.
“It will be all about how they can spin this so that Scientology comes out, maybe not smelling like roses, but with the least amount of stink attached to it,” said ex-believer Paul Schofield.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Week Unwrapped: Should we talk to the voices in our heads?
Podcast Plus Macron charms Morocco, and do Americans really work harder than the rest of us?
By The Week Staff Published
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures A spooky donation, a shirt-shredding rally, and more
By Anahi Valenzuela, The Week US Published
-
Vanessa Bell: A World of Form and Colour – an 'expansive' exhibition
The Week Recommends The 'sweeping' show features over 140 works from paintings to ceramics
By The Week UK Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published