AUSTRALIA’S Catholic bishops have joined with people throughout the nation in prayer and sympathy for all those affected by the Sydney siege that ended this morning (December 16) in three deaths.
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Denis Hart of Melbourne, in a statement today, extended the deepest sympathy and prayers of the Church to all people affected by the siege in Martin Place.
“We pray for all who were held hostage during the siege, especially those who tragically lost their lives,” Archbishop Hart said in the statement. “May the surviving hostages quickly heal and find new peace in their lives.
Two hostages and the gunman at the centre of a 16-hour siege in Sydney’s CBD were shot dead.
ABC Radio reported that police stormed the building after explosions and yelling were heard from inside the café at Martin Place about 2.10am (AEDT).
Seventeen people were taken hostage shortly before 10am on Monday morning but five ran free later that afternoon.
Archbishop Hart said the bishops united “in prayer in support of the families and friends who are today grieving the loss of their loved ones”.
“We thank and pray for the men and women of the police and emergency services who selflessly placed themselves in harm’s way during this tragic event to save the lives of fellow Australians,” he said.
“We also thank and pray for medical staff and community leaders who gave so willingly, patiently and courageously to manage the siege and bring it to the best possible conclusion.”
Archbishop Hart expressed his faith that all Australians would be as one in condemning the tragic event, and that they would join together as people of goodwill to support each other.
“As we prepare to celebrate the joy of Christmas, let us pursue enduring peace and understanding,” he said. “Affected as we are by such awful loss and hurt to our fellow Australians, let us reach out with the power of love to bring peace, healing and goodwill to all.”
Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher celebrated Mass today (December 16) for the siege victims, their families and the hostages who had survived.
The Mass was celebrated in St Mary’s Cathedral, and Sydney archdiocese invited the people of Sydney to attend “to join in prayer for peace, strength and healing after this tragic event”.
The archdiocese’s communications office said the Mass was “offered for all who have been involved including the police, emergency and medical staff, government representatives, city workers and all who have been affected by this terrible incident”.
