The Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Fra John T. Dunlap, has expressed his deep sadness at the news of the horrific attack in Sydney and strongly condemned the atrocity committed against the Jewish community gathered at Bondi Beach for a Hanukkah celebration.

Reiterating that peace, dialogue and fraternity are the only means of promoting a culture of justice and solidarity among peoples and religions, the Grand Master offers his sincere condolences and spiritual support to the victims and their families, and to the Australian people.

The Grand Master asks the family of the Order of Malta to come together in spiritual suffrage for the community of Bondi and the Australian Association, especially for Fr Anthony Robbie, the parish priest of St Patrick’s and St Anne’s in North Bondi and Bondi Beach, who runs the Order of Malta Community Care Kitchen from St Patrick’s. May God’s grace bring comfort to all those impacted by this enormous human tragedy.