A suspect is in custody after a stabbing incident at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Sydney, where a bishop and three congregants were injured during a Palm Sunday service.
A man has been arrested in Sydney following a stabbing incident at Christ the Good Shepherd Church, where a bishop and three attendees were injured during a televised church service. The attack, which took place as the church prepared for Palm Sunday, resulted in non-life-threatening injuries for all involved, confirmed by police and NSW Ambulance services.
During the service, which was also being streamed online, the assailant, dressed in black, attacked Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, leading to panic among the congregation. Shocking scenes from the incident were captured and circulated on social media, showing the congregation’s attempts to intervene.
In response to the stabbing, authorities quickly secured the area, with police urging the public to avoid the vicinity of the church and local hospital where crowds had begun to gather. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns called for calm and stressed the importance of community unity in light of the events.
The incident in the church appears unrelated to a separate recent fatal stabbing at a Sydney shopping mall. Religious leaders and community figures have expressed their shock and condolences regarding the church attack. This event follows Bishop Emmanuel’s increased visibility due to his public discussions on various topics, including his statements about the LGBTQ+ community last year.
