Australia: Church leaders call for prayer after terror attack at Hanukkah event

At least 12 people were killed today and 29 wounded in a terror attack at a Hanukkah event in Sydney's Bondi Beach.

The Archbishop of Sydney, Archbishop Anthony Fisher, said: "As we follow the horrific news coming from this evening's shooting at Bondi Beach, let us pray for those who have been killed or injured, the many who were forced to run for their lives and our emergency service workers who are right now trying to keep people safe.

May Our Lady, Queen of Peace, intercede for all affected, and for our beloved city at this time"

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, has issued the following statement:

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 anti-semitism.

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 point 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."