Images have been released of twelve men wanted for their involvement in a riot outside a church, following the stabbing of two church leaders.

A bishop was attacked multiple times in his head and chest by a knife wielding man in black during a livestreamed sermon in Sydney, Australia.

Police officers and church leaders were injured in the riot afterwards, in which up to 2,000 people were involved, according to reports.

Four men have so far been charged in relation to their part in the riot at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley. The twelve images are of the worst offenders.

New South Wales Police acting assistant commissioner Andrew Holland said: "They've seen the anonymity of being in a riot, they thought they could get away with offences".

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said Australia is “no place” for extremism, calling the incident “disturbing”.

“We're a peace-loving nation," he added. "This is a time to unite, not divide, as a community, and as a country."

Opposition leader Peter Dutton said he and his colleagues "stand ready to support the government.”

“I think the offer of bipartisanship support at the moment is important," he added.

The attack led to violence on the street near the Assyrian church, where hundreds of people gathered and scores of police tried to disperse the crowd. Officers were injured and vehicles damaged.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said rioters "could expect to be prosecuted".

NSW Premier Chris Minns addressed the media alongside Webb. He said the "terrorist act" had sparked a "major and serious criminal investigation".

The Bishop and Father Royel were in a stable condition in hospital afterwards.

Mr Minns said he had convened a meeting of faith leaders representing religious communities across western Sydney last Monday night.

He said they "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".