Sydney shootings an assault on ‘fabric of humanity’, says Singapore Archdiocese

The Archdiocese of Singapore has issued a statement condemning the shootings on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on December 14.

“The tragic violence at the Hanukkah celebration in Bondi Beach …  grieves us here in Singapore, and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore condemns all acts of violence that target human life,” said the statement, titled “The Right to Life, Safety, Peace and Justice”.

“Every person, regardless of race, religion, and nationality, has an inherent right to live safely and peacefully. This right is most sacred for the innocent and the vulnerable, whatever the situation, whether gathered in celebration, seeking community, or simply living out their lives, and to do so without fear,” said the statement dated December 15.

“The attack in Sydney is a violation of this fundamental right, an assault not just on individuals, but on the very fabric of our shared humanity,” the statement added.

“We honour the lost by reaffirming our desire for common dignity and to build a just world where every person, in every community, can live freely in peace, and not in the shadow of senseless brutality. This can only be achieved if our societies are committed to removing injustices through sincere dialogue.”

The statement, issued by the Archbishop’s Communications Office, added, “Let us channel our grief into building a more peaceful and just world for everyone.”

On December 14, two gunmen, a father-and-son duo, opened fire at a Jewish celebration in ‍Sydney’s ​Bondi Beach, killing 15 people. One of the gunmen was also killed, bringing the death ​toll to ​16. It was the country’s worst gun attack in about 30 years.

A Singaporean family of six vacationing in Sydney and who were at Bondi Beach at the time narrowly escaped with their lives.

Ms Karin Lee and Dr Edward Wong were there that day with their triplet daughters, aged 12, and son, aged five.

Just as they were packing to leave, they heard loud sounds that seemed like gunshots, they told the Singapore daily, The Straits Times, in a phone interview.

The family immediately started running till they reached the top of a hill. When they stopped at a block of flats to hide, a local couple called out to them and another woman and urged them to come into their home for refuge.

The family stayed inside the house for a few hours while the situation calmed down.

“The couple were so kind to us, offering us water and shelter in that moment. The man even drove us back to our hotel because so many of the roads were closed. It was so scary, but we are so thankful for them. It was a godsend to have met them,” Dr Wong told The Straits Times.