Four people were injured in an attack at a church in Australia on Monday – and this in front of social media users who watched the service online.
Skynews Australia reports that the attack took place during an altar service at the Christ the Good Shepherd church in Wakeley, in the west of Sydney.
Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was preaching when a man dressed in black walked to the pulpit and stabbed him several times. Graphic footage shows how the bishop looked up in surprise when the man suddenly attacked him as screams rang out in the church, reports Daily Mail. Emmanuel apparently suffered injuries to his head and face. The incident happened around 7pm Australian time.
The attacker is still at large.
Four men between 20 and 60 years old, including Emmanuel, were injured in the attack. According to reports, their injuries are not life-threatening. Paramedics treated three of the victims at the scene while a man in his 50s was taken to Liverpool Hospital.
The incident follows shortly after six people died in a knife attack at the Bondi Junction Westfield shopping center in Sydney on Saturday. The police shot dead the attacker, Joel Cauchi, a 40-year-old homeless man who apparently had mental problems, on the scene. Among the victims is a new mother whose nine-month-old baby is still in hospital with serious injuries.
A person who witnessed the latest attack on the Christ the Good Shepherd church’s Facebook page said the bishop was “hit” several times.
“I watched the live broadcast. A young man attacked him, presumably with a weapon, but it was difficult to see. There were several quick hits,” the person wrote on Facebook.
“The church intervened, turned off the live stream and removed it. Please pray for our brave bishop.”
The attack led to great commotion and violence outside the church because some people reportedly suspected that the attacker was hiding in the church building. A large police presence was maintained in the area a short time ago.
