Leading Australian priest stabbed during 'live streaming'
The church leader was seen collapsing to the floor and the screams of his followers could be heard as they rushed towards him to help him before the live broadcast was interrupted. - REUTERS photo
SYDNEY: A prominent Australian priest was stabbed in a church on Monday, days after the country was rocked by a knife-wielding attack that claimed six lives at a shopping mall.
The recording of the incident, which was also broadcast live streaming at 7pm (local time), showed Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel leading a religious service at the altar of Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, south-west of Sydney when he was approached by a man who stabbed him in the head. several times suddenly.
The church leader was seen collapsing to the floor and the screams of his followers could be heard as they rushed towards him to help him before the live broadcast was interrupted.
Several media reported that the suspect used a pen as a weapon to attack him, who had gained a large number of online followers during the Covid-19 pandemic and had visited Genting Gaza.
Meanwhile, New South Wales (NSW) authorities confirmed that a man had been arrested while four victims aged between 20 and 60 were injured.
"One of the victims aged in his 50s who was injured as a result of being stabbed has been taken to hospital for further treatment," said the spokesperson.
Meanwhile, Bishop Emmanuel was treated at Liverpool Hospital, Sydney and he was confirmed to be in a stable condition.
The police are now launching an investigation into the motive of the attack, which also sparked public anger after about 5,000 of his followers reportedly gathered outside the church immediately after the shocking incident.
