Community Violence in Sydney: ‘look to the root causes of social disharmony’ says Archbishop
Statement from Dr Peter Jensen, Anglican Archbishop of Sydney
The events that occurred at Cronulla, Brighton-le-Sands and Maroubra yesterday are of substantial concern to all Australians, whatever their faith or ethnicity. There is no place in our free, democratic and civil society for racist and mob violence.
The sight of police and ambulance drivers under threat and attack from drunken youths and hate filled protagonists appalled every Sydneysider. In their professional roles police and ambulance officers are servants to every member of this community, working for our health, freedom, security and social harmony. As such they deserve nothing less than every citizen's respect and co-operation.
It is quite clear that tension has been building under a surface of apparent community harmony for some time. We must look to the root causes of this social disharmony, seek authentic information about them, and deal with those matters.
We look to the State Government to create a framework of personal safety and the rule of law that is the precondition for the survival of the tolerant community we desire. All citizens must pledge themselves to supporting appropriate measures from government and community leaders. Faith leaders will have much to do in their communities to assist.
I speak as one of the leaders of the Christian community. We are now moving swiftly into the Christmas season. It is a time when Christians remember the birth of the Saviour, Jesus of Nazareth, who entered this world in a nation divided and under threat from an oppressor. He was a citizen in that part of the world we now call the Middle East.
Jesus himself modelled values of peace and justice. The early Christian community was taught to live in harmony with one another, and not to be overcome by evil but to overcome evil with good. These are the values of Jesus' kingdom that, if they are in evidence in a society, will bring peace and harmony to all.
Dr Peter Jensen, Anglican Archbishop of Sydney
MEDIA PLEASE NOTE
Archbishop Jensen has asked Bishop Robert Forsyth, Bishop of South Sydney to speak to this statement on his behalf
Margaret Rodgers 02 9265 1507 / 0411 692 499
Bishop Robert Forsyth 0411 692 499
