A priest and worshippers were attacked by a knife-wielding man in an alleged terrorist attack in a suburban church.

The priest, Bishop Mari Emmanuel, was preaching a live-streamed sermon at Christ The Good Shepherd Church when a man dressed in black approached the altar and allegedly stabbed him multiple times.

Several worshippers immediately attempted to intervene, and other members of the public restrained the alleged attacker at the scene.

Police then arrived and arrested the suspect, later identified as a 16-year-old boy, who was taken to the hospital under custody and received surgery for injuries sustained during the attack.

Reports have it that two other members, aged 57 and 39, were also injured after attempting to intervene. They suffered cuts and a shoulder wound and were treated by paramedics and taken to the hospital.

New South Wales (NSW) Police Commissioner Karen Webb told reporters Tuesday that police believe the attack was premeditated.

“We will allege that the suspect attended that church armed with a knife and stabbed the bishop and priest,” Webb said. “We believe there are elements satisfied regarding religiously motivated extremism.”

In a statement released by the church, the Bishop suffered several blows to the head and body. The church reports that Parish Priest Father Isaac Royel was also injured.

According to Breitbart News, the attack comes just 48 hours after six people were murdered in Westfield Mall at Bondi Junction by a crazed knifeman.

The knife man, Joel Cauchi, stabbed five people to death and injured several others before a police officer gunned him down. However, there is no suggestion that the two events are linked.

Five women were among those killed in that attack. Twelve others were injured, eight of whom remained in the hospital Monday in conditions ranging from stable to critical.