Australian Catholic Bishops call for social cohesion amid rising antisemitism

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference released its 2026 Social Justice Statement, Living the Gospel in Times of Social Division, on 7 August in Brisbane. The document warns that antisemitism has become increasingly visible in Australia, citing the December 2025 Bondi Beach shooting and a surge in Islamophobia and other racist incidents.

The bishops urge Catholics to foster a “culture of encounter,” emphasizing forgiveness, hospitality and solidarity. Archbishop Timothy Costelloe and Bishop Tim Harris stress the need for respectful dialogue, restraint in online speech, and prayerful reflection to rebuild social cohesion across the nation’s diverse communities.

The statement calls for concrete actions such as listening to neighbours, supporting migrants, refugees and First Nations peoples, and creating safe spaces where people of different backgrounds can engage without fear.