Church responds to Bondi attack
As the Uniting Church, we express our grief and call for solidarity and peace
December 15, 2025
The Uniting Church in Australia expresses its deep sorrow following the attack at Bondi Beach, which NSW Police have identified as a terrorist act.
The violence occurred while families and children were gathered to celebrate the start of Hanukkah, a long-held religious tradition, in peace. What should have been a time of joy, faith and community was instead marked by fear and devastation.
We grieve the lives lost and hold in prayer all who have been injured, traumatised and affected.
As the Uniting Church in Australia, we unequivocally state that any attack on families and children gathered peacefully to celebrate faith is utterly unacceptable. We name and reject antisemitism in all its forms. Violence and hatred must never have the final word.
"We reaffirm our commitment to stand with our Jewish friends against hatred, violence, and fear."
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.
We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and commit ourselves again to compassion, peace, and care for one another. We reaffirm our commitment to stand with our Jewish friends against hatred, violence, and fear. This horrifying moment reminds us as a nation that the safety and dignity of our neighbours must never be taken for granted and that protecting one another, especially children and those targeted for their faith, is a shared responsibility.
The Uniting Church affirms the dignity of every person and the right of all people to gather, worship, and celebrate their traditions without fear or violence.
At moments like this, when terror seeks to unsettle our sense of safety and unity, we reject fear, hatred, and division. As a Christian church, shaped by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, we are called to speak with moral clarity and to act with deep compassion.
We give thanks for the courage and care of first responders, health workers, and all who have supported those affected during this time.
We invite the church and the wider community to join us in prayer and quiet reflection for all who are grieving today.
The Uniting Church continues to hold in prayer the Jewish community, the families and children impacted, and the wider community as it grieves and seeks healing.
Rev Charissa Suli President
Uniting Church in Australia
More news from the President
Waves of Hope: weaving new stories across Oceania
President Rev Charissa Suli has joined theologians, church leaders and practitioners from across Oceania in Fiji for the Association of Practical Theology in Oceania (APTO) Conference last week. Gathered around the theme “Waves of Hope: Storied Theology for the Whole of Life,” the Presidnet delivered an international keynote, “Building Community; Creating a New Story in…
Call for nominations for President-elect and 18th Assembly representatives
The Uniting Church in Australia is beginning an important process of discernment to identify the next President-elect of the Assembly. Ahead of the 18th Assembly, the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC), Presbyteries and Synods have the privilege and opportunity to identify people who may be nominated for election as President-elect (Reg. 3.6.4.1). Nominations…
President’s Prayer for the UN International Day of Peace
President’s Prayer for the United Nations International Day of Peace The United Nations International Day of Peace, commemorated on 21 September, brings people around the world together to reflect on the urgent work of building and sustaining peace. The 2026 theme, “Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day” highlights that peace is…
Lay Preachers gather to share in weaving Christ’s love
Lay Preachers gather to share in weaving Christ’s loveMore than 40 Lay Preachers, worship leaders and church members from across Australia gathered in Naarm/Melbourne from 4–6 September for the National Lay Preachers’ Conference. Hosted by the Lay Preachers’ Association of Victoria and Tasmania with Pilgrim Theological College, the triennial conference was…
President joins Pacific women leaders in Tuvalu
President joins Pacific women leaders for gathering in TuvaluUniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli is in Tuvalu this week, joining women leaders from across the Pacific for a regional gathering exploring the connections between faith, gender and climate justice. Hosted by the Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu (EKT) Church in Funafuti, the Tuākoi Lei – Faith, Gender…
President’s Season of Creation message
Today, 1 September, marks the beginning of the 2026 Season of Creation, as Christians around the world gather in prayer, reflection and action to celebrate God’s gift of creation and renew their commitment to care for our common home. To mark the beginning of the season, Uniting…
President's reflection: Arise and shine!
President’s reflection: Arise and shine! Last week, President Rev Charissa Suli attended a global gathering of Methodist and Uniting Church women. She carried home stories, wisdom and a renewed call for the Church to shine. The 15th World Assembly of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women (WFMUCW) brought together Methodist and Uniting Church…
President's Pastoral Prayer for Nepal
President’s Pastoral Prayer for the People of Nepal As we hear of the devastating floods in Nepal, we pause in sorrow and solidarity with all those affected. In the face of lives lost, families separated and communities facing profound uncertainty, we turn to God in prayer. We pray for those who grieve, those still…