Police have arrested a 15-year-old boy after Sydney was rocked by yet another stabbing incident on Monday (Apr 15), this time in a church. Footage of the incident showed a man walking up to the alter in the ‘Christ the Good Shepherd Church’ in Wakeley and then brutally stabbing a bishop and several worshippers.
The incident, which injured four people, happened as Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was preaching at an assembly at the church.
The event was being broadcast live on the church’s YouTube channel as the stabbing incident unfolded.
News agency AFP reports that the man has been arrested by police.
The attack sparked protests outside the church as hundreds gathered to express their anger.
Bishop Emmanuel has a large following on social media, with over 17,000 followers on Facebook. The church’s YouTube channel has almost 200,000 subscribers.
Police said several people were hurt but none of the injuries was life-threatening. Police said “a large police response is under way and the public is urged to avoid the area.”
The church in a statement later said a priest, Father Isaac, was also injured. He, along with the bishop, was immediately rushed to the hospital.
“We ask for your prayers at this time,” the church said.
“We also kindly ask anyone at the Church premises to leave in peace”, it added.
Local Mayor Frank Carbone urged people to maintain calm and not create a law and order situation.
“I understand a lot of members in our community are really distraught but what is important is I believe that the bishop has been taken to hospital and should be okay,” he was quoted as saying by Sky News Australia.
The motive of the attack is not known yet.
The church attack comes within 48 hours of another horrifying stabbing incident that took place in the city’s Westfield Bondi Junction area.
The 40-year-old murderer, Joel Cauchi, stabbed five women and a male security guard to death and injured several others before he was gunned down by a police officer.
Source: Wionews
