Bishop Stabbed During Middle of Church Service

A bishop has been attacked and stabbed during a service at a church in Sydney, Australia.

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was conducting a service at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church, which was also being streamed online. Graphic video footage seen by Newsweek is being shared online, and shows Emmanuel being attacked on the altar.

Sydney authorities say one man has been arrested, and that there were no fatalities among those injured in the attack.

In a statement, New South Wales Police Force said: "A police operation is underway in Wakeley, following reports of a stabbing. Officers attached to Fairfield City Police Area Command attended a location on Welcome Street, Wakeley following reports a number of people were stabbed. Officers arrested a male and he is assisting police with inquiries.

"The injured people suffered non-life threatening injuries and are being treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics. More information will be provided once it becomes available."

The attack comes just days after Sydney was rocked by a mass stabbing which saw six people murdered in a shopping mall.

Joe Cauchi, 40, was named by police as the attacker who killed five women and a male security guard. He was shot dead by police at the scene. Earlier today, officers said it was "obvious" that Cauchi was targeting women during his rampage.

There is no suggestion at this time that the two events are linked.

Violent public attacks have been relatively rare for Australia in recent years, yet new laws aimed at tackling knife crime were introduced in 2023.

The leader targeted on Monday, Bishop Emmanuel, has previously made headlines in Australia when he labeled Covid-19 lockdown measures as "mass slavery" that was treating citizens "like animals."

During a 2021 service at the Wakeley church, which was also streamed online, the bishop said immune systems had been designed by God so people did not need to be treated with vaccinations.