Catholic Religious Australia (CRA), the peak representative body for the Leaders of Religious Institutes and Societies of Apostolic Life, condemns in the strongest terms the arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne.
People of faith must be safe and secure to practice their religion. There is no place in Australia for attacks on places of worship. No person or group should be subject to hatred, intimidation or violence based on their faith, and antisemitism cannot be tolerated.
We remember in our prayers our Jewish brothers and sisters in their distress and fear, at this time. These weeks preparing for the Festival of Hanukkah, a celebration of light and hope, is a special time for the Jewish community and we pray that they can look forward to this festival in peace with family and friends.
We must always strive to nurture peace and respect for each other to keep our multicultural and multifaith society safe, secure, and free from violence.