A bishop and several church members were stabbed during a sermon in Sydney, Australia. 

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was stabbed severally on Monday evening at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church as the sermon was being streamed live. 

In response to the incident, the church issued a statement asking for public prayers and urging everyone on the premises to leave peacefully.

“We ask for your prayers at this time,” the statement read. “We also kindly ask anyone on the Church premises to leave peacefully.”

Local Mayor, Frank Carbone, speaking to Sky News Australia, urged people to remain calm after the incident.

“I understand many members of our community are distraught, but what’s important is that I believe the bishop has been taken to the hospital and should be okay,” Mr Carbone said.

The police, in a statement, disclosed that the motive of the attack is still unknown. However, a 15-year-old suspect has been arrested.   

The injured church members are receiving treatment from NSW Ambulance paramedics, and the public is advised to avoid the area.

“A large police response is underway, and the public is urged to avoid the area,” the police said. “The injured people suffered non-life-threatening injuries and are being treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics.”