A man has been arrested after reportedly stabbing a bishop and churchgoers in Sydney, Australian police said.
No life-threatening injuries have been reported.
The attack occurred during a televised service on Monday, police said.
A video on social media shows a man dressed in black approaching a cleric man identified as the bishop at Christ the Good Shepherd in suburban Wakely and appearing to stab him repeatedly.
‘We need Macron to act.’ The view in Mayotte, the French island territory steamrolled by cyclone Chido
Gisèle Pelicot has rewritten her story – and electrified women all over the world. But what about men?
Berlin culture cuts described as ‘death knell’ for city’s future
‘Shame has changed sides’: Supporters thank Gisèle Pelicot for her bravery as mass rape trial ends
Members of the congregation are seen screaming and rushing to the bishop’s aid.
[ Sydney attack: Knife attacker may have targeted women, say Australian policeOpens in new window ]
The church website identified the bishop as Mar Mari Emmanuel.
NSW Ambulance said paramedics had treated a man in his 50s for multiple cuts and taken him to a hospital, and three others were being treated for one or more cuts at the scene.
“A large police response is under way and the public is urged to avoid the area,” police said.
The premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns, described the scenes as “disturbing” on social media and urged the community to remain calm and “stick together”.
Religious leaders expressed shock and condolences as crowds gathered outside the church and the hospital.
Australians are still in shock after a lone assailant stabbed six people to death in a busy Sydney shopping mall on Saturday and injured more than a dozen others.
Christ the Good Shepherd had been preparing for Palm Sunday later this month. – AP