Sunrise host Nat Barr asks the question on the minds of many Australians after horrific church stabbing attack in Sydney

Natalie Barr has asked the question to many Australians after a 16-year-old boy allegedly attacked a high-profile bishop during a live-streamed sermon in Sydney’s west.

Video of the attack shows the boy, wearing all black, approaching Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and stabbing him in the head and chest at the altar of Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley at about 7.10pm on Monday.

Shocked parishioners are seen rushing to the bishop’s aid, while others grabbed the attacker and held him captive in the church.

The terrorist attack has sent shockwaves across Australia following the deaths of six innocent shoppers at Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday.

Barr asked former NSW Deputy Police Commissioner Mick Willing how the alleged attacker may have become radicalized.

She asked, ‘Where does such a person come from? Are they kind of sitting behind their computer, in their guest room, being turned into a terrorist?’

Mr Willing said it was a “difficult question” to answer due to the limited information currently known about the alleged attacker’s background.

“In answer to your question, Nat, that happens sometimes,” he said.

‘Sometimes people radicalize online, sometimes they radicalize in different ways. So every situation like this is unfortunately unique.

‘That will all be part of the investigation. They will be searching the assets of various agencies to see whether or not he was known to the authorities.”

The 16-year-old boy was captured on the livestream of the attack shouting “Allahu Akbar” as he stabbed the bishop at least eight times in the head, neck and torso.

Shocked parishioners sprang into action, with some coming to the bishop’s aid and others helping to detain the teenager in the church.

Video showed the alleged 16-year-old perpetrator being held on the floor of the church by police before speaking in Arabic.

Obviously, the words translate as, “If he had not sworn against my prophet, I would not be here.” If he didn’t interfere with my religion, I wouldn’t be here.’

One of the men involved in restraining the teen after the attack, before police arrived, described approaching the teen from behind and violently pushing him to the ground.

“He kept saying, ‘Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar,’” the man said in a video posted on social media.

The Australian National Imams Council and the Australian Muslim community have unequivocally condemned the attack on Bishop Emmanuel.

“These attacks are heinous and have no place in Australia, especially on places of worship and against religious leaders,” they said in a statement.

Shocking new details emerge about a teen’s criminal record

The teenager was charged with a number of offenses following an incident at a Sydney train station in November last year, the ABC.

The charges include possession of a jackknife, being armed with a weapon with intent to commit a criminal offence, stalking and/or intimidation and recklessly destroying or damaging property.

He was released on bail before appearing in court in January, where the charges were ‘proven’, but dismissed with the good behavior bond.

The outlet reported that there were no supervision orders in place when he allegedly carried out the attack Monday evening.

‘Miracle’ saves bishop’s life

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel’s life was saved when his alleged attacker’s jackknife failed to open properly.

Close friend Danny Abdallah spoke to the bishop as he recovered in hospital that night and revealed new details about the incident on Tuesday morning.

Abdallah – who lost three of his children and his niece to a drunk and drugged driver – called the bishop’s miraculous escape an “act of God.”

The bishop remains in hospital after undergoing surgery on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, temporary powers have been granted to police to allow them to search people, vehicles and property following the alleged attack.

The incident was declared an act of terror by NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb and confirmed by the Police Minister, who initiates the legislation in the state.

Officers can search people, vehicles and property without a warrant, set up roadblocks, cordon off areas and require confirmation of identification.

The powers, granted to prevent further attacks, will last for two weeks.