Protest action in Sydney Square

Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney
Public Statement
 
Protests in Sydney Square
 

It is a long-standing principle that protests around the precincts of St Andrew's Cathedral, which flow into Sydney Square and the Town Hall, are not supported in any way by the Diocese of Sydney.
 
The diocese is informed but has no significant ability to control such demonstrations. Protestors are asked to respect the Cathedral and the community it serves, but such requests are often ignored or defied.  We deeply regret that actions at some demonstrations have threatened the safety and well-being of members of the public around our Cathedral.
 
It must be emphasised that neither the actions of protestors nor the subject of protests is ever approved or sanctioned by the diocese in any way. 
 
In particular, recent demonstrations have directly threatened the unity, harmony and peace which we seek. We are appalled by anti-semitic slurs and incitements in the name of loyalty to the leader of a terrorist organisation and condemn them completely. 
 
In October last year the Archbishop of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel, issued a statement in which he called for "national unity and harmony so that our multi-cultural, multi-faith community may continue to thrive without hate or violence." 
 
The Archbishop's call remains urgent today.
 
"I urge all people, whether they adhere to a faith or not, to reject antisemitism in all its forms. I call on all community leaders to deplore the vilification which we have seen recently and pursue harmony, mutual respect and peace," the Archbishop said in the statement.
 
Anglican Diocese of Sydney
September 30, 2024