The United Church of Canada joins our voice to those condemning hate and seeking healing in the wake of shooting in Australia
As the death toll continues to mount from the horrific shooting at Bondi Beach in Australia, we continue in prayer for the dead, grieving family members, communities, and those recovering, as well as the first responders, health workers, and all who were witness to this event, described as terrorism by the Australian police.
We lift prayers at this holy time for the whole of the Jewish community in Australia, globally, and here in Canada, recognizing the fear communities feel as they continue to mark the Hanukkah season—a festival of light, resilience, and hope.
The United Church of Canada affirms the dignity of every human being, and the right of all faith communities to gather, worship, and celebrate traditions without fear or violence.
We join our voice to that of World Council of Churches General Secretary Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, who denounced the attack, saying, “Such violent antisemitism constitutes a gross violation of basic human rights and cannot be tolerated in any democratic society.”
General Secretary Rev. Michael Blair has reached out to our sibling church, the Uniting Church of Australia (UCA), as they seek to respond to their neighbours in faith. In their recent statement, the UCA reaffirmed their commitment to “strive to stand with our Jewish friends against hatred, violence and fear.”
For The United Church of Canada, the responsibility to speak and act against hate in its many forms must be an ongoing commitment of our faith. In the words of Moderator Kimberly Heath, in a statement shared December 14 on social media, “may light overcome darkness, may peace have the last word, and may we continue to speak out clearly against hate.”
A prayer of comfort and resistance:
God of life and hope,
console all who mourn.
May they feel the comfort of your presence.
For those overwhelmed by fear,
grant your peace and the assurance of community solidarity.
May we resist the forces that exploit, dehumanize, and marginalize, and defend the dignity of every human being.
Let fierce love combat hate, and violence be overcome, so your light of peace shines ever bright. We pray to the Holy who has many names. Amen.