Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia backs call for calm after Sydney bishop terror attack

·

NSW Premier Chris Minns and NSW Multicultural Minister Steve Kamper convened a meeting on Tuesday for faith leaders in the community following the attack on Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and another clergyman.

Very Rev. Father Christophoros Krikelis, Chancellor at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, was one of the faith leaders who endorsed and supported the below statement that calls for calm, to follow police instructions, and for peace.

Statement:

Places of worship are places of peace and prayer. The people who gather there should never feel threatened or unsafe, no matter what religion they follow. As faith leaders representing the diverse religious communities of New South Wales, we stand united against all forms of hate and violence.

Our prayers are with the victims and we call on our communities to extend our message of care and compassion to all.

We have trust in our police and first responders and full confidence in their work. Police should never be attacked for keeping our communities safe. The scenes we witnessed after the attack are unacceptable to anyone, and especially to people of faith.

For people of faith, religion is never a justification for violence. It has been a very difficult week but we are a strong community in New South Wales. We call on everyone to act with kindness and respect for each other. Now is the time to show that we are a caring and united community.

Statement agreed to by all members of the NSW Faith Affairs Council:

  • Right Reverend Dr Michael Stead, Anglican Church, Diocese of Sydney
  • Mr Gawaine Powell Davies, Chair, Buddhist Council of NSW
  • Imam Shadi Alsuleiman, President, Australian National Imams Council
  • Dr Ali Al Samail, Resident Scholar (Sheikh), Australian Ahl Al Bait Islamic Centre
  • Mr Surinder Kumar Jain, Vice President, Hindu Council of Australia
  • Ms Monica Doumit, Director of Public Affairs and Engagement, Catholic Archdiocese of
    Sydney
  • David Ossip, President, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies
  • Rev. Dr Steve Bartlett, Director of Ministries, Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT
  • Rev. Dr Manas Ghosh, Minister in the Uniting Church Uniting Church in Australia Synod of
    NSW & ACT
  • Rev. Dr Kamal Weerakoon, Minister, Presbyterian Church of Australia
  • Mr Darshan Singh Gill, Patron, Australian Sikh Association (ASA) (Gurdwara Sahib Glenwood)
  • Very Rev. Fr Christophoros Krikelis, Chancellor, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
  • Rev. Ralph Estherby, National Director/CEO for Chaplaincy Australia, Australian Christian
    Churches
  • Mr Darren Bark, Co-Chair, Better Balanced Futures (Faith NSW)
  • Mr Murray Norman, CEO, Better Balanced Futures (Faith NSW)
  • Reverend Heather Joyce Topp, Senior Chaplain and Interfaith Minister, Buddhist Council of
    NSW
  • Reverend William Crews AM, Superintendent Minister, Ashfield Parish Mission
  • Ms Katherine Xavier, Interfaith Commission Member, Catholic Diocese of Parramatta
  • Ms Monica Chahoud, Melkite Charitable Foundation President, Melkite Catholic Eparchy of
    Australia, New Zealand and all Oceania
    The statement was also supported by:
  • Archbishop Mar Meelis Zaia, Assyrian Church of the East
  • Archbishop Amel Shamon Nona, Catholic Chaldeans in Australia
  • Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay, Maronite Bishop of Australia, New Zealand and Oceania
  • Dr Rateb Jneid, President of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils
  • Mr Hafez Alameddine, President of the Lebanese Muslim Association
greek film festival melbourne

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Service, culture, and unity: Greece’s new Consul General in Sydney sets out his vision

Greece’s new Consul General in Sydney, George Skemperis, speaks to The Greek Herald about diplomacy, unity, and the vibrant Greek Australians.

Greek school memories: Honouring the teachers who shaped our language and lives

Both the negative and heartfelt stories of Greek school have a way of becoming core memories for Greek Australians.

Spotlight on VCE Greek teacher Kristian Raspa

Sunday, October 5th is World Teachers’ Day and gives us the opportunity to celebrate the influential educators who have shaped our lives.

Movie ‘Arcadia’ picked for Oscars 2026 as Greek entry

The submission will represent the country at the 98th edition of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in the United States.

Greece remains world’s maritime powerhouse in 2025

Greece continues to dominate global shipping, maintaining its position as the world’s top ship-owning nation by capacity.

You May Also Like

Oakleigh Grammar student Noah Peoples wins prestigious Swannie Award

Oakleigh Grammar student Noah Peoples was presented with a prestigious Swannie Award at the Debating Awards night on October 7.

‘Ikoyenia is love and a sense of belonging,’ says Stephanie Timotheou on her bilingual children’s book series

Ikoyenia is the four-part children’s books series written by Adelaide based Greek-Cypriot mum and journalist, Stephanie Timotheou.

Families who prepaid funerals left in limbo after death of Divinity Funerals’ Director

Families who prepaid thousands of dollars for funerals have been left in limbo after the death of Divinity Funerals' Director Denne Cruz.