A prominent bishop in Sydney, Australia has been rushed to hospital after being stabbed multiple times during a service.
Video, posted on social media, shows Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel allegedly being attacked at Wakeley’s Christ The Good Shepherd Church while delivering his sermon on Monday night.
The confronting footage shows the Bishop speaking when a younger man dressed in black calmly walks up to him.
The Bishop looks at the man, who then makes a stabbing motion to the face and neck area.
The Bishop then falls to the ground and his condition is not known.
Screams are heard from the crowd, as several people rush forward to try to help.
The camera then pans away.
The footage was taken from a livestream from the church’s YouTube page.
NSW Ambulance told NCA NewsWire paramedics were called to the scene about 7.15pm on Monday.
A spokesman said a man aged in his 50s was taken to Liverpool Hospital with multiple stab wounds.
Three other people were also injured and are still being treated at the scene.
A man aged in his 30s suffered multiple lacerations, a man in his 20s recieved a cut to his hand, and a man in his 60s was wounded to his arm.
Dozens of police raced to the scene where it is understood an angry crowd has gathered.
In a statement, NSW Police said an operation was underway in Wakeley, following reports of a stabbing.
“Officers attached to Fairfield City Police Area Command attended a location on Welcome St, Wakeley following reports a number of people were stabbed,” police said.
“Officers arrested a male and he is assisting police with inquiries.
“The injured people suffered non-life threatening injuries and are being treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics.
“The community is urged to avoid the area.
“More information will be provided once it becomes available.”
The attack comes just three days after six people were killed during a stabbing massacre at Sydney’s Bondi Westfield Shopping Centre.
There is nothing to suggest the two events are linked.
The Bishop gained prominence during the Covid-19 pandemic after describing Sydney’s lockdown as “mass slavery”.
He also claimed vaccines were futile because living “normally” would boost immunity.
“Are we humans? Because we are being treated like animals,” Bishop Emmanuel said in a sermon in 2021.
“They are encouraging people to go and take a vaccine and stay at home. They have had enough.”
He has a large following on social media, including TikTok and Facebook. (news.com.au)