“Today we remember, honour and mourn our fellow Australians who were robbed of their lives on December 14 last year,” said the Archbishop of Sydney on the National Day of Mourning, “and we express our sympathy and solidarity with all who grieve their loss.”
Five weeks on from the terrorist attack at Bondi, the nation marked Thursday, January 22nd with remembrance.
One minute of silence will be observed at 19:01 AEDT and people are being encouraged to leave a candle on a doorstep or window as a symbol of solidarity with the Jewish community.
“We remember that God abhors violence and we commit ourselves to pursuing and protecting the freedom of all Australians to live in peace and safety." Archbishop Raffel said.
Earlier in the week, Archbishop Raffel spoke to faith leaders at a gathering hosted by Her Excellency the Governor-General, Ms Sam Mostyn AC, at Admiralty House in Sydney.
Members of the NSW Faith Affairs Council, chaired by the Bishop of South Sydney, Dr Michael Stead (below), focused on unity, religious freedom and social cohesion.
“The gathering brought leaders of different faith traditions together around a shared table, reflecting a commitment to listening, mutual respect and common purpose,” said a joint statement from the event. “The shared meal symbolised openness, trust and a collective responsibility to the nation.”
The Governor-General affirmed the vital role faith communities play in Australia’s modern, multicultural society, and faith leaders shared reflections on how their communities live out their beliefs within a diverse society, contribute to education, social welfare and community life, and promote respect and peace while maintaining their distinct beliefs, identities and traditions.
The gathering also launched a new initiative to honour the Bondi victims and stand in solidarity with the Jewish community.
“Choose a Mitzvah” (a good deed), encourages all Australians to commit to one of 15 good deeds in honour of one of the 15 murdered at Bondi. This initiative was developed by Rabbinical leaders and has the unanimous support of all the members of the Faith Affairs Council.
In the month since the attack, the Governor-General has promoted the “mitzvah” in all her engagements.
Today we remember, honour and mourn our fellow Australians who were robbed of their lives on December 14 last year, and we express our sympathy and solidarity with all who grieve their loss.
We remember that God abhors violence and we commit ourselves to pursuing and protecting the freedom of all Australians to live in peace and safety.
We must learn the lessons of this unspeakable tragedy beginning with the determination to reject anti-semitism whereever and whenever we enounter it.
Archbishop Kanishka Raffel, 22 January, 2026
A key focus of the discussion amongst faith leaders was education and the next generation. Participants reflected on the role of faith-based and public education, religious education in schools, character building and community learning in shaping young Australians who are confident in their identity, respectful of difference, speak with kindness, and are committed to a cohesive society.
Above: Bishop Stead speaks to faith leaders about their joint initiatives
“A terrible and wicked assault has taken place in a sense, at the heart of our nation, grotesquely asserting that some are not welcome, can be dispensed with, are not like us,” Archbishop Raffel told the gathering. “Australia I believe has risen up to say – not so. An attack on our Jewish neighbours is an attack on us all. And we are all determined to resist antisemitism, and every form of religiously, politically or racially motivated hate. Saint Paul said, Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
In her closing remarks, the Governor-General encouraged faith communities to continue their work and collaboration to collectively strengthen unity in diversity and Australia’s social fabric. The Governor-General has offered to reconvene the group later this year.
