Statement from Archbishop Peter Jensen on Call for a Curfew
I congratulate the Arab and Lebanese Australian community leaders for their call to youth to observe a curfew on Friday and Saturday nights and on Sunday of this coming weekend.
Every Sydneysider, of whatever religion and ethnicity, will be encouraged and supportive of the responsible and conscientious leadership they are giving in the troubles we have been experiencing in parts of our city.
We must remember that it is first of all in the home that we learn to respect and care for others. So I trust that all parents will join these community leaders in encouraging their own young people to exhibit mature and thoughtful respect for other people at all times. This will ensure that we may live together in peace and harmony as a friendly and hospitable community.
I would certainly expect that no Anglican Christian is to be found participating in any incidents of hostility and violence towards others.
For them to do so would be to deny the pattern of openness and acceptance of others, including strangers, that was the mark of the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. His call to us is to daily bear witness to God's peace, God's justice and God's love in every aspect of our lives, including our individual and communal relationships.
I am very pleased to see that Christian groups have arranged a prayer meeting at 6.00am on North Cronulla beach on Sunday morning, and that they are encouraging people to attend. The local Anglican church leaders understand that prayer to the faithful and compassionate God who cares for all who bear his image will help bring the cycle of violence to an end.
Dr Peter Jensen
Archbishop of Sydney
