Two people allegedly stabbed by 15-year-old youth at western Sydney church as riot erupts outside

A 15-year-old boy is accused of stabbing an Assyrian bishop at a western Sydney church, sending the streets into chaos and forcing a hospital lockdown.

Vision has emerged of a bishop appearing to be stabbed during a service at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Sydney. Picture: Twitter

A 15-year-old boy was accused of stabbing an Assyrian bishop at a western Sydney church on Monday night, with some officers forced to use capsicum spray as the streets descended into mayhem and a nearby hospital was put on lockdown.

Riot police were deployed to the Christ the Good Shepherd church in Wakeley where hundreds of people flocked following the shock stabbing of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and another person, who were both treated for stab wounds after the alleged attack.

The teenager - who is known to police - was apprehended by parishioners until police arrived. Police say he has “severe” injuries to his hand.

In a press conference, held at 12:30am on Tuesday, acting assistant commissioner Andrew Holland said the 15-year-old was kept in the church for his safety.

“Police were in the process of removing the young person from the church when it was identified that a large crowd had gathered outside,” Mr Holland said.

“A decision was made to retain the young person in the church for his safety.

“At that time, the crowd continued to build an emotional response to what took place in the church,” he said.

Police would not detail the nature of the contact the 15-year-old has previously had with authorities.

In the confronting footage, the alleged attacker appears to be held down by multiple people before admitting to targeting the priest for “swearing at my prophet” in Arabic.

One of the men asks him “who set you up to do this?”

He responds: “If he was not swearing at my prophet I would have not come here.”

“If he was only speaking about his religion I would have not come.”

In a livestreamed video, the youth dressed in black can be seen approaching Bishop Mar Mari at the altar, before allegedly stabbing him in the face with an implement, and then multiple times on his body. At the time, Bishop Mar Mari was delivering a sermon to a full congregation.

Parts of Liverpool Hospital were placed on lockdown around 10pm after Bishop Mar Mari was transported there. Police resources stood by at the Sydney Police Centre due to discussions about whether they would be deployed to the hospital or the church.

Vision has emerged of a bishop appearing to be stabbed during a service.at The Good Shepard Church in Sydney. Picture: Twitter

An injured police officer is ushered into the church. Picture: Liam Mendes

NSW Premier Chris Minns called the scenes “disturbing”, saying he had received a briefing from Police Commissioner Karen Webb and NSW Health on the ongoing situation.

“It’s important that the community remain calm and continue to listen and act to the directions of police and the emergency services,” he said.

“We are a strong community in NSW and it’s important that we all stick together, particularly in the face of adversity.”

Mr Minns called an emergency meeting of faith leaders at 10.30pm, and said the group condemned the violence.

“We’re calling on everyone to act with kindness and respect for each other,” he said. “Now is the time to show that we are strong and united as a NSW community.”

A police car damaged on Monday night. Picture: Liam Mendes

Police were called to the church around 7.10pm, with some forced to deploy capsicum spray as the street spiralled out of control. At least 150 officers were shortly called to the scene.

Two officers were injured, with one taken to an ambulance with a bandage on his head and blood on his chest, as a police helicopter circled overhead.

“A constable was hit with a metal object and sustained a twisted knee and a chipped tooth. Another constable sustained a broken jaw after he was hit with a brick and a fence paling,” a police spokesperson said.

The crowd chanted “bring him out”, but it was unclear whether the alleged offender was still inside the church.

Multiple windows of police cars was smashed in, and the group threw projectiles. Tyres of police cars were also smashed, antennas bent and side windows ripped off.

Police were called to reports of one person “suffering a heart attack”, and that ambulances were unable to get through the crowd due to people and vehicles blocking the street.

‘An attack on us all’

Murray Norman, CEO of Faith NSW, a coalition of the state’s faiths, said the vision appeared “horrific”, and an attack so soon after Saturday’s tragedy was “sobering” and concerning.

“During a week of mourning where we have seen the worst of humanity on display, this is yet another sobering reminder that we all need to do more to stamp up this vile conduct from our state,” he said.

A police officer is seen with a bandaged head amid the mayhem. Picture: Liam Mendes

Picture: Liam Mendes

Mr Norman said that an “attack on one faith is an attack on us all” and that the state’s faith communities would “stand united”.

“Incidents such as these will only strengthen our resolve,” he said.

Fowler MP Dai Le said she was “praying for Bishop Mar Mari’s safe and speedy recovery”.

“He is a wonderful bishop and I have seen his work and his love for his community and congregation,” the federal MP said.

The crowd outside the church on Monday night. Picture: Liam Mendes

“We are all shocked, but we have faith in our multi-faith and multicultural community to get through this together.”

The area’s other two elected representatives — Fairfield NSW MP David Saliba and Fairfield mayor Frank Carbone — were at the scene, it is understood, and also assisting with community cohesion and helping residents.

A woman being carried off. Picture: Liam Mendes

Mr Carbone urged residents of the area to “please stay calm”.

“To have this happen here at a church, any place of worship, is horrendous,” he told Sky News.

“I understand the anger from the community (in reaction to the stabbing) and emotion, especially after the Bondi attack.

“But I urge my community to stay calm.”

The mayor said the area was “praying” for the bishop’s recovery and that it “expressed our love” to him.

“This is a trying time,” he said.

“I ask Fairfield to stay calm”.

A man taken away by police. Picture: Liam Mendes

The Muslim community’s Australian National Imams Council late on Monday issued a statement “unequivocally condemning” the attack on Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel.

“These attacks are horrifying and have no place in Australia, particularly at places of worship and toward religious leaders. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bishop Emmanuel and the victims and we pray for their speedy recovery.

“We urge the community to stay calm and work together towards the safety and the security of all Australians,” the statement concluded.

National President and Grand Imam of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Australia I. H. Kauser said he was shocked and saddened to hear of the “brutal attack” on Bishop Emmanuel.

“The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Australia unequivocally condemns tonight’s attack on Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel in the strongest possible terms,” he said.

“We extend our deepest sympathy to all those injured in the attack and wish them a speedy and complete recovery.”

Chilling footage of preacher emerges

It comes as footage, published on a TikTok account in late-February, appeared to show Emmanuel commenting on a video circulating on that platform saying he had only “two weeks to live”.

“There has been a video circulating saying that the bishop has two weeks to live,” he said, referring to himself.

“And somebody saying ‘farewell bishop, we’re sad to see you go’.”

Appearing to joke, the bishop said he “didn’t want to stay in this world”. The video was posted to the platform in February and appears to be ripped from the church’s YouTube livestream.