Leaders in crisis control after Sydney bishop stabbing sparks angry crowds

Political and religious leaders in NSW are in crisis control after a Christian bishop was stabbed during a service at a church in western Sydney.

NSW Premier Chris Minns held a meeting with faith leaders from multiple western Sydney religious communities at 10.30pm on Monday.

All leaders "endorsed and supported a unanimous condemnation of violence in any form, called for the community to follow first responder and police instructions, and called for calm in the community", Minns said.

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"We're calling on everyone to act with kindness and respect for each other.

"Now is the time to show that we are strong and united as a NSW community."

There were intense scenes outside the Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley on Monday night after Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was stabbed as he delivered a sermon.

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Police officers were injured as they clashed with angry groups, who were still in the area late into the night.

The leaders at the Minns meeting were Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay, Maronite Bishop of Australia; Hafez Alameddine, Lebanese Muslim Association president; Bishop Robert Rabbat, Bishop of the Melkite Church; Sheikh Shadi Alsuleiman, Australian National Imans Council president; Archbishop Zaia Mar Malis, Archbishop of Assyrian Community; Kamalle Dabboussy, Australian Federation of Islamic Councils CEO; Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper; NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cook; Premier's Department secretary Simon Draper; and Multicultural NSW chief executive Joseph La Posta.

The Christ The Good Shepherd Church also called for calm and asked people to go home in a statement released late last night.