Jakarta. A sword-wielding assailant attacked a Catholic church, injuring four, including a priest and a policeman, during a mass in Sleman, Yogyakarta, on Sunday (11/02).

The man, identified as Suliyono, entered St. Lidwina's Church around 7:30 a.m. and flailed the sword at members of the congregation.

He then attacked several of them, before he was shot by police.

Police are investigating the man's motives, while he is recovering at a hospital.

The attack was the latest in a series of incidents of religiously-motivated violence, threatening to fan religious tensions ahead of the regional and general elections, which will be held within the next 18 months.

Last week, an Islamist mob in Tangerang, Banten, harassed a Buddhist monk, alleging that he had converted his home into an illegal place of worship.

It was later revealed by police that the man only received visits by members of his congregation and gave them his blessings.

Police did not investigate the case further, saying it was only a misunderstanding.

In January, a Muslim cleric was attacked in Bandung, West Java, during early morning prayer. His assailant was identified as a mentally ill.