A bishop at a church in Sydney has been stabbed while live-streaming an address online, sparking riots and a heavy police presence in the area outside.

In disturbing footage posted on social media, Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel can be seen reading from a Bible as a man in a black hooded jumper approaches him from the aisle.

The attacker then appears to stab Emmanuel, reportedly with a pen, before members of the congregation rush to stop him.

Further footage posted online shows the bishop being removed from the church in a stretcher, with reports stating he was then taken to Sydney's Liverpool Hospital "in a stable condition".

Police have confirmed that they attended the venue "following reports a number of people were stabbed" and that a number of people had been injured.

The stabbings appear to have sparked protests outside the church - Australian outlet 6 News reported that "projectiles" have damaged a police car responding to the incident.

Frank Carbone, the mayor of Fairfield in Western Sydney, has called for the community to remain calm and let authorities do their work.

Footage posted from the scene in the aftermath of the attack initially showed a large police presence dealing with a crowd outside.

Later reports indicated that the attacker had been "barricaded" inside the venue, and despite police efforts to remove him - having arrested the man already - members of the church were not letting him leave.

Videos have also emerged of what appears to be the crowd breaking into the church, with a witness claiming it has been "breached".

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The live stream of the apparent stabbing was being broadcast by the Christ the Good Shepherd Church, a Christian church in Wakeley, Western Sydney, apparently during an Assyrian bible study event.

A New South Wales Police statement said: "A police operation is underway in Wakeley, following reports of a stabbing. Officers attached to Fairfield City Police Area Command attended a location on Welcome Street, Wakeley following reports a number of people were stabbed.

"Officers arrested a male and he is assisting police with inquiries. The injured people suffered non-life threatening injuries and are being treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics."

This is the second stabbing in as many days in Sydney; on Saturday, six people were killed by a knifeman at a shopping centre in Bondi Junction in the east of the city, before the attacker was shot dead by police.

There is no evidence to suggest the two attacks are linked.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb said Saturday's incident is not thought to be terror-related.

GB News has approached Christ the Good Shepherd Church for comment.