Member churches of CTBI have issued statements and prayers following the attack on Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025, which targeted the Jewish community.
Catholic Church in England and Wales
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Bishops’ Conference, has written to UK Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis to express his heartfelt sympathy to, and prayers for, the Jewish community after the devastating terror attack that targeted a Hanukkah celebration on the Sydney beach.
Decrying the senseless act of violence, Cardinal Nichols hoped that some comfort could be taken from the “solidarity from people of all backgrounds who stand with you against violence and antisemitism.”
The Cardinal also condemned the attack as “a tragic reminder of the pain that hatred and terror inflict on innocent people, and it is a hurt felt across faiths and nations.”
Catholic Church in England and Wales website
Church of England
Archbishop Stephen Cottrell responded to the attack at Bondi Beach (via X):
Shocked and horrified that once again a Jewish holiday has been marred by a violent act of terrorism. I am praying for my Jewish brothers and sisters throughout the world and especially those who have lost loved ones in Australia today. I continue to stand against antisemitism in all its forms and pray that people of all faiths and none can learn to live in peace with each other.
X post by Archbishop Stephen Cottrell
Church in Ireland
The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop John McDowell, expressed his sympathy with the Jewish community:
“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.”
Irish Catholics Bishops’ Conference
Archbishop Eamon Martin delivered a statement during the annual Christmas Carol Service in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh:
…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.
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 arise in antisemitism, 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.
Irish Catholics Bishops’ Conference website
Methodist Church of Great Britain
The Methodist Church has issued a prayer:
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who grants us light, sustains us in life and guides us in the ways of holiness.
On a day when peaceful celebration has been distorted through acts of violence and hatred, we pray for those who have died and been injured in the attack at Bondi beach at the beginning of Hanukkah.
Comfort those who have lost loved ones. Strengthen them and grant them peace.
Stand close to those who seek answers and with those tasked with understanding and responding to these acts of violence.
May the deep darkness of this day be met by responses of respect, compassion and solidarity as we continue to draw alongside our sisters and brothers of Jewish faith in our prayers.
We pray for an ending to all acts of religious or racially based hatred that we may dwell in your light and seek a world in which all may walk safely alongside their neighbour.
Amen.
Methodist Church of Great Britain website
Church of Scotland
Rt Rev Rosie Frew, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, has issued a statement expressing the Kirk’s sympathy for those affected by this weekend’s Bondi Beach attack, the wider Jewish community and the people of Australia.
“The massacre of innocent people gathered at Bondi Beach to celebrate the first day of Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, is the most appalling atrocity, one felt world-wide.
“This is a dark time for Australia and the Jewish community.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved and the injured, with the people of Sydney and with the Jewish Community.”
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