The suspect was treated for injuries to his hand and taken to a safe location as the attack has angered worshippers, said Andrew Holland, a New South Wales state police officer.
Meanwhile, at least two police officers are in hospital and vehicles have been damaged during violent protests following today’s knife attack at an Assyrian temple in Sydney, police said.
Officers were injured by people throwing “bottles, bricks and other objects,” Holland said. The parish priest was injured in the attack without his life being in danger, as were three other people.
A bishop and several other people were stabbed during a sermon in Sydney which was broadcast live on the Internet.
Bishop Mari Emmanuel was preaching at The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley in Sydney’s west on Monday night when an assailant walked up to the altar and stabbed him multiple times.
Police responded to reports that several people had been stabbed, but said none of their injuries were life-threatening.
A man was arrested and was taken to an unknown location as reported by the police.
After the attack on the bishop, a crowd of people gathered outside the church and it appears to show some people attacking the building and emergency service vehicles but nothing has been confirmed by the authorities.
Police said “a large police response is underway and the public is advised to avoid the area”.
The bishop who was attacked was named by local media as Mar Marie 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.
“We ask for your prayers at this time,” the congregation said.
Local mayor Frank Carbone was among those calling for calm.
“I understand that a lot of members in our community are really upset, but what’s important is that I think the bishop has been taken to hospital and he should be fine,” he told Sky News Australia.
The bishop gained prominence during the Covid-19 pandemic after describing Sydney’s lockdown as “mass slavery”.
He also argued that vaccines were futile because living “normally” would boost immunity.
“We are humans; Because they treat us like animals,” Bishop Emmanuel said in a sermon in 2021.
“They are encouraging people to go get a shot and stay home. They’ve had enough.”
The priest livestreams his services on YouTube and social media, where he has thousands of followers as he uses his tough words to attract radical Christians to his anti-LGBTQ sermons.
The bishop attacked is Mari Mari Emmanuel, of the Assyrian Church of Australia
This Orthodox bishop has become famous for his outspoken opposition to COVID measures, lockdowns, Freemasons and Israeli aggression against #Palestine#Gaza#Attack#terrorism pic.twitter.com/eWdnFhswfi
— Ax De La Resistance – Palestine / Gaza (@axe_resistance) April 15, 2024
#Arrest #15yearold #suspected #knife #attack #temple