Catholic leaders denounce Bondi attack and wider antisemitism

The attack happened during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at the beach on December 14. Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP of Sydney spoke of a profound grief and righteous anger following the attack.

“The brazen and callous disregard for human life, and the hatred of some people toward all Jews, is an unspeakable evil that must be repudiated by every Australian,” he said in a December 15 statement.

He said justice must be delivered quickly for victims. Noting that his own great grandmother was a Jew, Archbishop Fisher called for an end to an atmosphere of public antisemitism in Australia that had been evident in the past two years.

He expressed his deepest condolences to Jewish people and assured them of prayers and closeness, adding that the “Catholic community will redouble its efforts to combat antisemitism through education and preaching”.

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, condemned what he described as “the scourge of antisemitism”.

“The twisted motives behind those who perpetrated these terrible acts are now clearly linked with the scourge of antisemitism,” Archbishop Costelloe said in a December 14 statement. “This is a shocking and deeply distressing reality which calls into question our own understanding of ourselves as Australians.”

He warned that “blind prejudice and hatred points to a dark and destructive stain in our society which threatens not just our Jewish brothers and sisters but, in fact, all of us”.

“We must rediscover our conviction that nothing can ever justify this destructive violence,” he said, urging Australians to ensure that the “justifiable anger we feel does not breed even more violence and hatred”.

Archbishop Costelloe praised what he described as the “remarkable courage of the police and other first responders, and individual acts of bravery as people sought to protect each other”.

The New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ Committee for Interfaith Relations expressed their sorrow and solidarity with the members of Jewish communities, while rejecting any attempt to justify violence in the name of religion or ideology.

“We grieve the loss of life, condemn all acts of hatred and violence, and stand alongside Jewish communities in Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, and around the world at this painful time,” the committee stated.

The attack occurred on Sunday evening during the “Chanukah by the Sea” event on the first night of Hanukkah. Authorities said two gunmen opened fire on the Jewish community gathering. One alleged shooter was killed at the scene, while a second was taken into custody with critical injuries. They are reportedly a father and son.

FULL STORY

Terrorist attack on Sydney’s Jewish community must lead to change (By Archbishop Anthony Fisher, OP/The Catholic Weekly_

Sydney archbishop urges prayer after deadly attack leaves 12 dead at Bondi Beach Hanukkah event (Catholic News Agency)

NZCBCIR Letter of Grief (NZCBCIR)

Bondi Beach shooting live: 15 killed in Sydney attack at Jewish event (Al Jazeera)

Bondi Beach shooting: Sixteen dead in terror attack – one shooter known to security agency (New Zealand Herald)

Bondi shooting death toll rises to 16, including a child, says official after gunmen target Jewish festival (BBC)

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