Community comes together in prayer after church stabbing in Wakeley

Community members spent the day bringing flowers to the western Sydney church where a Bishop was stabbed on Monday night during a service.

And after a message circulated on social media about a special candlelight vigil and prayer service, many more began to visit Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley in the evening.

However, as people began arriving at about 7.30pm on Tuesday, church officials were heard turning them away.

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The church also took to social media asking people not to turn up outside the place of worship.

"Beloved faithful, we kindly request that no one enters the church premises until further notice," they wrote in a message to the congregation.

"Despite rumours of a prayer session at 9pm tonight, the church is closed and we will not allow anyone to enter."

While many left after being told the vigil was not going ahead, a handful stuck around long enough to light a candle in a symbol of hope and prayer.

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The evening's peaceful scenes were a stark contrast to the unrest that developed on Monday evening after Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was stabbed during his sermon, which was being livestreamed.

Hundreds of devotees watching online rushed to the premises in the aftermath of the attack, with some people eventually turning on police and paramedics at the scene.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested and remained under police guard at a secret location in Sydney, accused of using a flick knife to stab the bishop and another priest.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said the teen's fingers were cut off during the attack.

Police are yet to charge the teenager but the incident is being treated as an act of terrorism.