A bishop and several other people have been stabbed during a sermon in Sydney that was being streamed online.
The incident happened on Monday evening at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church in the suburb of Wakeley.
Police responded to reports that a number of people had been stabbed but said none of their injuries were life-threatening.
A man has been arrested and taken to an undisclosed location, police said.
Following the attack large crowds gathered outside the church, with unverified footage posted online appearing to show some attacking the building and emergency service vehicles.
Police said “a large police response is under way and the public is urged to avoid the area.”
The bishop who was attacked was named by local media as Mar Mari Emmanuel. His identity was later confirmed by the church, which is Eastern Orthodox. The church said in a statement that a priest, Father Isaac, was also injured. Both were taken to hospital.
According to AFP news agency, the neighbourhood is a hub for Sydney’s small Christian Assyrian community, many of whom have fled persecution and war in Iraq and Syria.
Credit: bbc.com
