Support in solidarity with the Bondi victims - Fr McGrath, Longford priest

As Bondi recovers from an unthinkable tragedy, Fr Joe McGrath, who just recently returned from his first visit to Australia, says every faith around the world is standing in solidarity with the Jewish community.

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Fr Joe said, “I hear very strong political statements from all parts of the world, about gun control and terrorism, and there’s a place for that, but it’s not right now. 15 people had their lives cut short by the sheer presence of evil.

“For the Jews who gathered on Bondi, it was meant to be a lovely way to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah - the Jewish Festival of Lights. From that perspective, regardless of what faith you are, for that kind of darkness to have appeared in such a sinister way when people were gathering to celebrate, is just unthinkable.”

Fr Joe added, “There's a very powerful line in the opening verse of John's gospel; two simple lines, but very powerful: ‘A light shines in the darkness. A light, the darkness could not overpower.’ It's a powerful statement about light over darkness. I imagine that many Christians, Jews, people who read the Bible will get some solace from that.”

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Fr Joe added, “Listening to the news, there are little glimpses of light throughout the horrible darkness. The one that’s probably best known is the man who confronted one of the killers. He knew it could have been the end of his life and yet he grappled with the gunman until he had the weapon.

“That moment saved many, many lives. Other glimpses of light came from the images of Australians - of all faiths and none - queuing at hospitals to donate blood.

“Over the coming days I imagine all faiths will be praying for those in Bondi.”