Pope Leo XIV has confirmed the Catholic Church’s condemnation of all forms of antisemitism in a phone call with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, as interfaith memorials for the victims of the Bondi terror attack were held in Sydney and Canberra. Source: Vatican News.
Pope Leo received the call from President Herzog and reiterated the “Catholic Church’s firm condemnation of all forms of antisemitism, which, throughout the world, continues to sow fear in Jewish communities and in society as a whole.”
The Pope also renewed his appeal for “perseverance in the various ongoing peace processes in the region, and emphasised the urgency of intensifying and continuing efforts in the area of humanitarian aid.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns joined Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP, Rabbi Benjamin Elton and other faith leaders for a memorial service on the steps of St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney yesterday, The Nightly reported.
Mr Albanese vowed the nation will not be divided by the “pure evil” exhibited at Bondi Beach as the Archbishop Fisher warned him inflammatory messages at pro-Palestine protests “must stop”.
Archbishop Fisher said the “dark stain of antisemitism on our city and nation challenges us all”.
“For two years now, week after week, demonstrations have taken place here in Hyde Park, within earshot of the Great Synagogue, where inflammatory messages were articulated unchecked,” Archbishop Fisher said.
The archbishop continued, saying Jewish-Australians were “met with one of the oldest and darkest of human hatreds” when the community was targeted on Sunday.
“How can anyone live faith openly when fear whispers to hide your identity and existence? How can anyone maintain hope when despair seems the only response? How can anyone trust their neighbours, when trust is so callously violated,” Archbishop Fisher said.
Mr Albanese – who was seated next to NSW Premier Chris Minns and Rabbi Elton, chief minister of The Great Synagogue – said “there was pure evil at Bondi on Sunday”.
“Yet even in that moment we were given proof that evil will never overcome the courage, decency, compassion and kindness of Australians,” he said.
“That is central to the character of who we are. Our nation is stronger than the cowards who seek to divide us.”
In Canberra, religious leaders and community members gathered at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture for the Pray for Peace Vigil, organised by the Canberra Interfaith Forum.
Catholic Voice reported the service brought together representatives from diverse faiths, including Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Anglican, Sikh, Hindu, and Buddhist communities, as well as ACT Government representatives.
Canberra-Goulburn Archbishop Christopher Prowse said the gathering was about “being with each other” in the aftermath of the tragedy.
“We condemn outright this tragic antisemitic attack,” he said. “It was a terrorist act against our Jewish brothers and sisters, and it must be named so that the darkness is clearly seen and rejected.”
FULL STORY
Pope Leo condemns antisemitism in phone call with Israeli President (Vatican News)
Archbishop Anthony Fisher warns against provocative remarks as PM vows nation won’t be divided by ‘evil’ (By Shannon Hampton, The Nightly)
Canberra unites in prayer as Interfaith Vigil condemns antisemitism and violence (By Veronika Cox, Catholic Voice)
RELATED COVERAGE
Archbishop Anthony Fisher, Josh Frydenberg and premiers pressure Anthony Albanese on antisemitism fight (The Australian)
Australia’s Jews have endured too much. We have failed them all (The Australian)
