15/12/2025
Probably like many of you, I woke up this morning to the news of last night’s horrific mass shooting at Bondi Beach, which was directed at Jewish community members gathered to celebrate the first evening of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights.
If you need a quiet place to sit, light a candle, say a prayer, and rest in God’s love, then please be assured you are welcome to come into our church just as you are – no words or explanations needed.
Below is a Prayer for Peace which Bishop Sophie Relf Christopher sent to all Anglican Churches in Adelaide this morning. The prayer is followed by a statement that was issued on behalf of the Anglican Church in South Australia.
Prayer for peace in Australia
Loving and gracious God,
We mourn before you in the wake of acts of terror and hatred in our country.
We pray for the Jewish community in Australia:
for those who are grieving, for the injured, and for everyone who feels afraid.
We pray for emergency workers, healthcare staff, survivors, and all who have been impacted by this senseless violence.
Comfort the broken-hearted, strengthen those who protect the vulnerable,
and transform the hearts of ordinary Australians from fearful to overflowing with compassion.
Turn us all from any prejudice to love, and from any violent impulse to peace.
Hasten that day when your justice and peace will flow like an ocean throughout the world. This week, help us carry your light into every dark corner of our community.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Statement issued on behalf of Anglicans in SA
On behalf of Anglicans in South Australia, we share in our nation's profound grief following last night's terrorist attack at Bondi Beach. To murder faithful Jewish Australians who are celebrating a peaceful religious festival is an almost incomprehensible horror.
We have reached out to Adelaide's Jewish communities to assure them of our prayers and support, and our commitment to work tirelessly until hatred and disregard for any human life are repudiated by every Australian.
Such horror inevitably provokes righteous anger and a desire for a swift, just response on behalf of the victims. However, even amid these terrible events, we are reminded that goodness abides, demonstrated through the bravery of Ahmed al Ahmed, the heroic bystander who tackled and disarmed one of the gunmen with little thought for his own safety.
We honour him, along with the heroic police, ambulance officers, lifesavers, and others who offered help to the victims.
May this generosity of spirit and sense of community be our inspiration rather than the hatred which does so much to diminish us all.
As we extend our deepest condolences to our Jewish sisters and brothers, let us assure them of our solidarity and prayers during this difficult time for all the victims of this attack, their families, and the wider community.
Let us redouble our efforts to keep Jewish Australians – and all Australians – safe.
Especially in this Advent season, as Christians connect again with their loving God, let that love restore hope to our neighbourhoods and communities across Australia.
