On the 14th December 2005 as the fallout from the racial violence at Cronulla continue the latest victims from this destructive rampage are the Christian communities.
The AAP reported the Uniting Church Hall burned early this morning which is being treated in a suspicious manner by fire experts. It might be related to the race riots according to the Premier of NSW. Reverend Glenys Biddle along with the ‘100-strong mainly Tongan congregation was shocked and saddens by this abhorrent act saying: “The hall is used for meetings, Sunday school activities. The Tongans have kava there that is where the Tongan men sit around and sip kava and talk together. And there was a small chapel where a small group of people worshipped.”
This destructive vandalism was not only constricted to one area. Sydneyanglicans.net reported two Anglican buildings were attacked where Molotov cocktails were thrown through the St Alban’s Anglican Church (located in Macquarie Fields) destroying curtains and heavily staining the ceilings and floor. The other incident occurs at St Thomas’ Anglican Church where 10 windows were broken.
The acting Rector Reverend Canon Howard Dillon has ‘strong doubt about the connection to the Cronulla riot’ but suspect: “The perpetrators were kids or young people who have seen all the [coverage] on the television and thought they might have a go. I’m not aware of any group or person who has a grudge against the church.”
Geoff Kyngdon the assistant to the Bishop of Wollongong believe the act was carried out by copycats saying: “It’s been an unfortunate incident, [but] it’s just a different scenario. Copycats are always going to be a problem, but I’m still convinced it’s just a random attack.” He will ask local Christians to ‘pray for peace and calm to be restore and to work with the community in which they live’ and added: “One sin does not justify another.”
Bishop of Western Sydney Ivan Lee describes the attack as ‘alarming, discouraging and a bit of a shock’ and reminded: “We live in a broken world, and a symptom of a problem that needs to be addressed. We need to work harder on relationships and not pretend the problem is not there.”
The Australian reported Cardinal George Pell warned gangs of Middle Eastern descent to stay clear of Christmas celebration after these gangs were verbally abusing familes as they attend the primary school Christmas Carol with guns being fired. He describe the attack in the multicultural suburb of Auburn as ‘motivated by religious intolerance’ and added ‘This has no place in Australia today’.
Cardinal Pell said: “The actions of the gang towards the Auburn school community - which was predominantly Lebanese, with Filipinos, Chinese and Anglo families also represented - was as unacceptable as the violence perpetrated by Anglo elements on Sunday at Cronulla”.
It is reported the shooting forced the cancellation of a carols service at the Holy Spirit Primary School in Lakemba last night.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.