An Indian Catholic priest was stabbed in Melbourne, Australia, in what appears to be a hate crime. The accused, a 72-year-old Italian, was arrested by the local police, reported The Hindu.

The incident took place while Tomy Kalathoor Mathew, who hails from Kerala, was leading mass in St Matthew’s Parish in Fawkner, in suburban Melbourne. The 48-year-old was attacked with a kitchen knife by an Italian, who reportedly said Mathew could not conduct the mass because he must be a Hindu or Muslim because he was from India, according to The Indian Express.

The priest suffered injuries to his neck and is now undergoing treatment at a hospital. The accused has been given bail and asked to appear at the Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on June 13.