Three arrested after protesters clash outside Belfield’s St Michael’s Church

The breaking of a crucifix which was then stet on fire was the alleged boiling point for two groups of protesters embroiled in a violent clash outside a southwest Sydney church.

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Violent clashes outside a church in southwest Sydney during a forum on religious freedom were allegedly sparked by pro-transgender demonstrators breaking a crucifix and attempting to set it on fire.

The violence - in which a police officer was taken to hospital after being attacked - was sparked as protesters disrupted Tuesday night’s forum hosted by state MP Mark Latham on parental rights and religious freedom.

A spokesperson for the parish of St Michael The Archangel at Belfield said the outburst appeared to start after the alleged attack on the crucifix.

“To our knowledge a crucifix was deliberately broken and there was the attempt to set it on fire by members of the left wing activist group that came to protest out on the street in front of the parish property,” the spokesperson said.

“This was to our knowledge what actually started the violent outburst.”

The riot squad were called after more than 500 people turned up to protest outside St Michael’s Church in Belfield.

“We condemn all the violence that occurred and we were appalled and deeply hurt by anyone who showed aggression or hate. The night was meant to be a peaceful sharing of views but unfortunately was ruined by what we gather are professional troublemakers.”

A spokesperson for the Community Action for Rainbow Rights (CARR) protesters denied destroying a crucifix.

Hundreds of people turned up outside St Michael’s Church in Belfield.

The riot squad were called in to manage the crowd.

“Of course it didn’t happen, the fact is hundreds of fascists tried to enact violence,” they said.

Two people were charged after riot police were deployed when 250 people from a Christian Lives Matter group clashed with a dozen CARR protesters. Punches were thrown and police were forced to protect the LGBTQ demonstrators.

Later on Tuesday a 42-year-old man was also charged with assaulting a police officer, hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty, and affray.

Tony Abbott slammed the protest action. Picture: Martin Ollman

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott said while violence should always be condemned, attempts to shut down legitimate speech went against what Australia stood for.

“There’s now a very dangerous tendency to shout people down and cancel them just because you disagree with them,” he said.

Police said the crowd dispersed after the riot squad arrived.

Christian Lives Matter founder Charlie Bakhos said his group had organised to pray on church grounds and he was surprised when hundreds of others arrived.

“We don’t condone violence and that’s not what we organised,” he said.

“This is much bigger than Christian Lives Matter.

“More than 80 per cent of people I’ve never seen ... some came to pray and others came to protect the church.

“There were Muslims, nonbelievers and Christians who came together.”

A spokesman for the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney said the people who acted violently were not members of the parish.

Mr Latham also condemned the violence and went ahead with his forum, speaking to a “peaceful group of mums and grand-mums” inside.

“Protesters have the right of protest but they shouldn’t be blockading roads, denying entry to the church - that is what triggers a reaction,” he said.