Love and support flows for Jewish community
News
Archbishop Patrick O’Regan has written an open letter to the Jewish community, on behalf of the Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide, extending his deepest sorrow and heartfelt solidarity in the wake of the tragic shooting in Bondi yesterday evening.
“We grieve with you for the lives lost, for the wounded and for all who have been shaken by this senseless act of violence,” he wrote.
“At moments such as these, words feel insufficient. Yet it is precisely in darkness that faith calls us to affirm the dignity of every human life and to stand together against hatred, fear and division.
“The Jewish and Christian traditions share a profound inheritance: a belief in the sanctity of life, the pursuit of justice and the unwavering hope that goodness can prevail even after great suffering.
“I wish to assure you that the Catholic community stands with you in prayer and in presence. We reject antisemitism and all forms of violence directed at any people of faith. We reaffirm our commitment to mutual respect, dialogue and the work of peace—work that is more urgent now than ever.
“Our shared faith in the one God of Abraham calls us to reject hatred and despair, even when they confront us so brutally.
“In the midst of fear and unanswered questions, we hold fast to hope: hope that goodness is stronger than violence, that compassion outlasts cruelty and that light is not overcome by darkness.
“Please be assured of our prayers and our ongoing fraternity.”
On Monday morning, people placed flowers in honour of the victims of the shooting on the steps of the Adelaide Holocaust Museum which is located in the Archdiocese’s Fennescey House adjacent to St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral.
Premier Peter Malinauskas also placed flowers at the museum and held a media conference inside the building, which includes the Andrew Steiner Education Centre.
Vicar General Fr Dean Marin prayed for the victims and their families at 8am Mass in the Cathedral.
Norman Schueler at the Holocaust Museum.
Jewish community leader Norman Schueler said he was overwhelmed by the messages of support that he had received. Speaking on ABC Radio he urged families and individuals to light a single candle in their homes and say a few words to the victims’ families.
The Council of Christians and Jews SA expressed deep sorrow and condemnation following the violent attack at the Bondi Chanukah gathering.
“An attack on a Jewish celebration is an attack on religious freedom, communal safety and the shared values that bind our two faith communities together,” the Council said.
“We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community in grief, fear, and resilience and affirm our unwavering opposition to antisemitism and all forms of religious hatred.
“We recommit ourselves to the work of mutual understanding, public courage, and protection of one another in times of vulnerability.”
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, issued the following statement on Sunday night:
“The violence and horror which descended upon Bondi on Sunday evening have shaken Australians to the core.
The loss of innocent lives is a tragedy beyond measure. The families and loved ones of those who have died have had their world shattered.
Many more people have suffered injuries, some of them very serious.
The twisted motives behind those who perpetrated these terrible acts are now clearly linked with the scourge of antisemitism.
This is a shocking and deeply distressing reality which calls into question our own understanding of ourselves as Australians.
In a country which prides itself on its tolerance and open-hearted hospitality this 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.
As our nation confronts this tragedy we must work hard to ensure that the justifiable anger we feel does not breed even more violence and hatred.
Our horror at what has happened must become the source of a determination to turn our backs on all acts of violence and blind hatred.
Equally, the remarkable courage of the police and other first responders, and individual acts of bravery as people sought to protect each other, are a timely reminder of what is best in our Australian character.
The hearts of all the people of this nation go out to the families of those who have died and to all those who have been injured.
The prayers of all people of religious faith will accompany those who, in the days, weeks and months ahead will be struggling with the physical, psychological and spiritual consequences of Sunday evening’s awful events.
We entrust those who have died to the love and mercy of God, in praying for their family and friends and for all those who have suffered injuries of any kind.
We join with all those who condemn such terrible violence and plead with all Australians to reject any impulse towards hatred and violence and instead to recommit ourselves to being peacemakers in our families, amongst our friends and in our wider society.”
