Priest stabbed during sermon in Sydney’s second knife attack in two days

Authorities said they arrested one male suspect from Christ The Good Shepherd Church in the suburb of Wakeley.

None of the wounded has life-threatening injuries, the police said.

The church stabbing followed a fatal incident on Saturday in which a knife-wielding assailant killed six people and injured several others at a mall in the Sydney suburb Bondi Junction before being shot by a police officer.

“A large police response is underway, and the public is urged to avoid the area,” said the police.

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was preaching the Assyrian Bible on Monday at 7 p.m., according to Christ The Good Shepherd Church’s Facebook page. A man in dark clothing approached him and repeatedly attacked him with a sharp object, according to a video shared widely on social media. The video has not been verified by the police or The Washington Post.

Before the video pans to the left, obstructing the view of the attack, members of the congregation can be seen rushing toward the bishop. The attack, captured on the live stream that has now been removed from the church’s social media channels, lasted less than 8 seconds.

The church did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comments Monday.

“Disturbing scenes tonight in Wakeley,” Chris Mins, the New South Wales premier, said on social media Monday evening. “It’s important that the community remain calm and continue to listen and act to the directions of Police and Emergency Services.”

Police sought to contain the riot outside the church after the stabbing with tear gas, according to the Telegraph. Hundreds had gathered and were hurling bottles and bricks at the police barrier.

The crowd was reportedly smashing windows of the cars parked outside the church as well as a window of the church.

The Telegraph said videos on social media showing crowds chanting “bring him out” and “an eye for an eye.”