Bondi Beach massacre: Church of Ireland archbishop condemns 'creeping anti-Semitism plaguing the world'
The head of the Church of Ireland has issued a statement condemning the Bondi Beach massacre and “creeping anti-Semitism”.
Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland John McDowell made the comments after gunmen killed 15 people and injured dozens more at an event celebrating Hanukkah in the eastern district of Sydney, Australia.
The victims reportedly range from a 10-year-old girl to an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor.
The perpetrators are believed to have been a father and son.
Archbishop McDowell said: “There are times when the ends of the Earth can seem very near to us.
"Such was my feeling today when I heard about the brutal murder of innocent Jewish people – men, women and children – as they gathered to light the first candles of Hanukkah, the festival when Jews all over the world remember the Dedication of the Second Temple.
"This will be a deeply unhappy Hanukkah for many Jews, especially those who have friends and relatives in the large Jewish diaspora in Australia.
"My thoughts and prayers, and the prayers of many people in Ireland, will be with the victims and families of those affected by today’s atrocity and by the creeping anti-Semitism which plagues so many parts of the world.”
Meanwhile these comments were echoed by his Roman Catholic counterpart Archbishop Eamon Martin.
He said: “As we gather this evening for our Christmas carol service, and light the third candle on our Advent wreath, we unite with our Jewish brothers and sisters around the world who are celebrating the festival of Hanukkah today, and whose festival of light this year has been horrifically overshadowed by the darkness and evil of a terror attack on the Hannukah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, leaving 12 people dead and many, many more injured [the death toll has since climbed further].
“I know that many Irish families have sons and daughters living in the Sydney and Bondi Beach area, as well as countless others in other parts of Australia, and no doubt everyone is deeply impacted by the awful attack which must have been terribly shocking and frightening for everyone present.
"Sadly, in recent times there appears to have been a rise in anti-Semitism, and every one of us Christians must do everything in our power to counteract prejudice and hatred towards our Jewish brothers and sisters, or indeed towards any minorities.
"Jesus came into our world fulfilling the age-old prophecy of Isaiah that the people who walk in darkness have seen a great light.
"Jesus came to be the Prince of Peace, and tonight we pray for peace and comfort for all those families who have been bereaved in this awful attack, for those who have been injured, and for the courageous first responders who helped to prevent even more death and destruction.”