The impassioned crowd demanded the suspect be brought outside the church after he was arrested by police, per The Telegraph.
The situation outside was live-streamed by X user @Chriscoveries.
They chanted "bring him out" and "an eye for an eye" as they became increasingly upset, attempting to push past a barrier of riot police.
New South Wales police said the attacker had been “removed from the church and taken to an undisclosed location" after he was arrested at the scene.
Ben Fordham, a radio host for 2GM, claimed on Sky News Australia that police used pepper spray against the crowd.
“Things are so volatile outside this church following the stabbing of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, they’ve had to deploy capsicum spray outside that church,” he said.
Authorities reported that none of the injuries sustained during the attack were life-threatening. There have been reports that one police officer was injured.
Australian officials urged people to stay "calm."
Frank Carbone, the mayor of Fairfield, told Sky News Australia: “I do call for calm. Police will do their job and please let’s not make the police’s job any harder.”
Chris Minns, the New South Wales premier stated, “It’s important that the community remain calm and continue to listen and act to the directions of Police and Emergency Services. We are a strong community in NSW and it’s important that we all stick together, particularly in the face of adversity."
Police urged the public to stay away from the area.
