Christian leader, worshippers stabbed during service in Sydney's west

As horrified churchgoers scream, the man stabs the priest in the chest. The priest then falls to the floor and is stabbed a further five times as a group of churchgoers rush towards him and manage to separate the alleged assailant from the priest.

“The bishop then got up, with his injuries, put his hand on the assailant and started praying,” Fairfield deputy mayor Charnel Saliba, who was not at the church but spoke to witnesses, told Sky News.

Video taken in the aftermath of the stabbing shows the bishop on the floor as parishioners hold bandages against his head.

The incident was livestreamed.

Four people were injured in the attack. A man in his 50s and another man in his 30s were taken to Liverpool Hospital with multiple lacerations.

NSW Ambulance paramedics were treating a man in his 20s with lacerations to his hand and a man in his 60s with lacerations to his arm at the scene.

The offender has been “removed from the church and taken to an undisclosed location,” NSW Police said in a statement.

The Police Association NSW (PANSW) has confirmed officers have been injured “as a result of projectiles being thrown at officers”.

“PANSW field organisers have been recalled and are now supporting injured members at hospitals and police stations as this event unfolds,” it sent.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said the scenes were “disturbing”.

“I have received a briefing from the Commissioner of Police and NSW Health on the situation,” he said.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and first responders who are working to keep us safe.

“It’s important that the community remain calm and continue to listen and act to the directions of police and emergency services.

“We are a strong community in NSW and it’s important that we all stick together, particularly in the face of adversity.”

Scene of the stabbing at a church in Wakeley.Credit: Wolter Peeters

Emmanuel is the leader of an ultra-conservative sect of the Assyrian Orthodox faith who took on an outsized role in the Christian Lives Matter movement.

He preached fire and brimstone in services that were livestreamed and attracted hardline Christians for his anti-LGBTQ sermons and pandemic scepticism.

Federal MP for Fowler Dai Le, whose south-west Sydney electorate includes the Christ The Good Shepherd Church, said her community was stunned by the stabbing, especially as it occurred only two days after the Westfield Bondi Junction mass stabbings.

“This has shocked us,” she said.

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel preaching at his church.

She described Emmanuel as a “wonderful bishop leading the Assyrian community”.

“He’s increased his followers tremendously,” she said.

Fowler has one of the country’s biggest Assyrian communities, including many members who fled war-torn Iraq for a safer life in Australia.

“We have one of the most multi-faith communities in country,” she said.“I do not believe we will be divided by this.”

Police are out in force to quell the growing crowds in Wakeley after the stabbing attack.Credit: Wolter Peeters

Faith NSW CEO Murray Norman said an attack on one faith was an attack on all, and that faith communities stood unified against hate and violence.

“During a week of mourning where we have seen the worst of humanity on display, this is yet another sobering reminder that we all need to do more to stamp out this vile conduct from our state,” he said.

“Incidents such as these will only strengthen our resolve and we will emerge stronger and more united.

“We wish Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel a speedy recovery.”

NSW Police said an operation is now underway. Officers attached to Fairfield City Police Area Command is at the location on Welcome Street.

The community is urged to avoid the area.

More to come.

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