An 84-year-old priest was forced to his knees before his throat was slit as his attackers performed an ‘Arabic sermon’, a nun who was in the church said.

The attack at a church near Rouen in Normandy occurred when between four and six  people, including Father Jacques Hamel, two nuns and worshippers were taking mass.

Police rescued three people from the Catholic church in Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray this morning, and ‘neutralised’ the two attackers.

One person, who was seriously injured, is now fighting for their life.

The nun, who has been identified as Sister Danielle, told BFM telivision: ‘They forced him to his knees. He wanted to defend himself. And that’s when the tragedy happened.

‘They recorded themselves. They did a sort of sermon around the altar, in Arabic. It’s a horror. He was a great priest.’

Police have arrested one man during their investigation in to the attack, which has since been claimed by Islamic State.

The attackers took hostages during morning mass and authorities are now trying to determine whether they had accomplices.

The men took hostages in the church (Picture: Google)

The identities of the attackers and motive for the attack are unclear, according to a security official.

He added that the RAID special intervention force was searching the church and its perimeter for possible explosives and terrorism investigators had been summoned.

Mohammed Karabila, who is head of the local Muslim cultural centre, said: ‘The person that did this odious act is known, and he has been followed by the police for at least a year and a half.

He said the attacker ‘went to Turkey and security services were alerted after this.’

French president Francois Hollande called the incident a ‘vile terrorist attack’ and said it is another sign that France is at war with IS, which has claimed a string of attacks on France.

‘We must lead this war with all our means.’

IMAGES:

Police stand guard near the city hall (Picture: REUTERS)

Priest Jacques Hamel (right) was killed (Picture: Alex Haleniuk/Twitter)

The 84-year-old had his throat slit (Picture: Getty Images)

Police have arrested a person in connection with the attack (Picture: REUTERS)

Armed men take hostages at church in Normandy

For more on this story and video go to: http://metro.co.uk/2016/07/26/hostage-situation-at-church-in-normandy-6029245/#ixzz4FXPjSS1T

Related story:

French church attack: 'Priest killer' was being monitored

From BBC