The shock and grief of the Bondi Beach shootings is felt around Australia, and the world.
Please find here prayers for congregations and faith communities. These will be added to as they become available.
The following compilation is a list of statements from churches and faith traditions. It is a work in progress and will be added to when we become aware of more statements (vcc@vcc.org.au)
Jewish Community Council of Victoria
Victorian Council of Churches Statement
World Council of Churches
General secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay: “The fact that the attack took place at a moment when people had gathered to honour a tradition deeply rooted in hope and spiritual endurance renders this act even more egregious.” Read more here.
NSW Faith Affairs Council and the Multicultural NSW Advisory Board Statement
Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne statement
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference – statement
Anglican Archbishop Ric Thorpe statement
The Salvation Army statement
Uniting Church in Australia Rev Charissa Suli statement
Uniting Church Vic/Tas Rev Salesi Faupula statement
Coptic Orthodox Church Melbourne – Bishop Rewa
Read more here.
VCC Emergencies Ministry statement
Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV)
Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) – Multifaith Advisory Group (MAG) MAG STATEMENT
Message from Minister Stitt, Hon Ingrid Stitt
A Statement from the Melbourne Welsh Church
The Melbourne Welsh Church condemns, without hesitation or qualification, the violent attack at Bondi Junction. The loss of life, the injuries, and the fear inflicted are heartbreaking. Violence against ordinary people in public spaces is an assault on our shared humanity.
We express our solidarity with the Jewish community in Australia and around the world. Antisemitism, whether explicit or implied, has no place in our society. Jewish people should never be made to feel unsafe, targeted, or blamed for the actions of others.
We also stand alongside people of Islamic faith who have publicly and clearly condemned this outrage. Hatred and violence do not belong to any faith, and it is wrong and dangerous to allow fear to spill over into suspicion or blame directed at Muslim communities.
At times like this, it is vital to resist easy narratives that divide. Grief should not be weaponised. Faith should not be distorted into justification for harm. Our response must be one of compassion, courage, and unity.
We hold the victims, their families, first responders, and all who are shaken by this tragedy in our thoughts and prayers. We reaffirm our commitment to being a community that speaks against hatred, stands with those who are targeted, and works for peace, dignity, and the safety of all.
— The Minister, Elders and families of the Melbourne Welsh Church
Fr Emmanuel, Holy Church of St. John the Forerunner
I condemn the Bondi shootings targeting Jewish Australians who were celebrating Hanukkah. A celebration of lights now in the darkness of tragedy. No one in Australia should ever fear for their safety while observing their faith or cultural traditions. It is utterly unacceptable that people of all ethnic and religious backgrounds cannot feel safe celebrating who they are in Australia. Our country prides itself on multiculturalism, tolerance, and freedom of religion, and violence or intimidation has no place here.
Rev Kim Cain, St. Leonard’s Uniting Church – Brighton Beach
The congregation of St Leonard’s Uniting Church, Brighton Beach, holds the Jewish community in our prayers following the violent attack in Bondi.
As hearts break and fears for safety rise, please know that you are held in our prayers – spoken aloud and carried deeply in our thoughts.
To our Jewish neighbours and friends: we stand with you.
Be assured of our support and our unequivocal rejection of antisemitism in any form and every act of violence against you.
May peace, courage, and compassion guide us as we seek to build an Australian community where faith is respected, differences are honoured in peace, and where all people may flourish.
And may this be true of our own neighbourhood.
Australian Student Christian Movement
We stand with the Jewish community, the loved ones of those who lost their lives in this horrific act of violence, and we condemn all acts of violence and discrimination. Religious identity should be able to be proudly expressed, without fear of collective retribution.
St Thomas The Apostle Chaldean Catholic Diocese of AUS & NZ
Our beloved believers
In light of today’s tragic and violent events at Bondai Beach, our hearts are broken and heavy with sorrow for the lives lost, and for the profound pain our community has befallen. In this time of darkness and deep sorrow, we are called to stand together in faith and love.
Let us unite as one body in Christ, standing united in prayer for the victims, their families, and every soul affected by this violent act, trusting in the comfort and strength of the Lord.
May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard our hearts.
And our thoughts, as we touch together for comfort and healing.
Let us pray together for our country Australia.
Beloved in Christ,
In light of the tragic and senseless events that unfolded at Bondi Beach today, our hearts are broken and heavy with sorrow for the lives lost and the pain inflicted on our community. We are called to stand together in faith and love during this time of immense darkness and grief
let us to come together as one body in Christ, uniting in solidarity and prayer for the victims, their families, and every soul affected by this act of violence, trusting in the Lord’s comfort and strength.
May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard our hearts and minds as we seek solace and healing together.
Let us pray together for our beloved country Australia
The Centre for Public Christianity mourns with the Jewish community and unequivocally condemns the horrific violence that has taken place in Bondi yesterday.
Such a senseless act strikes at the heart of our humanity and shared life together. The freedom to gather peacefully and celebrate faith and community has been shattered. We have been reminded that the Jewish community has long felt unsafe in going about their daily lives and we stand against antisemitism in all its forms.
We pray for the victims and their families, and for all who have been traumatised by what they witnessed. Our hearts are with all those grieving, frightened, or shaken by this assault. We acknowledge the deep distress felt not only by those directly affected, but across communities in our city, nation, and world.
At times like this, fear or vengeance shouldn’t have the final word. Instead, restraint, solidarity, and compassion are needed: lights amid this dark day for Australia.
Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network – PIEN
We lament the tragic events at Bondi Beach and offer our tears to the Jewish community and all those who grieve. At a time when joy and hope were being celebrated during the festival of Hanukkah, an unimaginable horror occurred.
We are sickened and saddened by this event and condemn all acts of violence. May compassion and unity prevail in our land.
In the words of Rabbis for Human Rights – “Hanukkah teaches us that light is not passive. It is an act of courage. In moments of fear, violence, and injustice, we are called not to retreat into silence, but to increase the light through compassion, solidarity, and an unwavering commitment to human dignity and the sanctity of every life.” May it be so!
Baha’i statement