His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia has condemned the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday, which authorities say has resulted in the deaths of 16 people and the injury of at least 38 others.
In a statement, Archbishop Makarios expressed his “profound grief over the mass-casualty terrorist attack in Sydney, which occurred during a gathering for the Jewish feast of Hanukkah.”
“Every act that violates the sanctity of human life is reprehensible, even more so when it undermines our peaceful coexistence, which constitutes a fundamental achievement of Australian society,” he said.
The Archbishop stressed the need to oppose intolerance and violence, saying: “We are all obliged to struggle resolutely against every form of intolerance, fanaticism, and violence, and to proclaim unequivocally that whoever kills while invoking God does not serve their faith but betrays it. There can be no sanctity in murder.”
Archbishop Makarios said prayers were being offered “for the repose of the souls of the victims” and expressed “unwavering solidarity with their grieving families and loved ones, as well as with the entire Jewish Community.”
“Our thoughts are also with those who have been injured and are receiving medical care, to whom we offer our heartfelt wishes for a swift and full recovery,” he added.
