According to the Herald Sun Rev Tomy Kalathoor Mathew (above), 48, needed urgent first aid from parishioners after an armed man entered the service at St Matthew's Church in Fawker North, Melbourne, and attacked him.
Churchgoers told police the man allegedly said to Rev Tomy: "You are Indian, a Hindu or Muslim, you cannot say mass... I will kill you." He then produced a kitchen knife from his trousers and stabbed him in the neck before fleeing.
Police are yet to make an arrest despite the attack being witnessed by dozens of parishioners in the church at the time.
Detective Senior Constable Rhiannon Norton told the newspaper: "At this stage it is too early to tell [the motive] and the investigation is ongoing.
"At this stage we believe the incident is isolated and there is nothing to suggest that he is a danger to anyone else."
St Matthew's Church said on its Facebook page: "We understand what has happened today has been shocking to our parish community.
"Fr Tomy would like to say that he is recovering well and is in good spirits. His first thoughts have been for the parishioners and the school community. To all of you, thank you so much for your prayers and thoughts."
