Your Grace, Archbishop Anthony Fisher, the Premier of New South Wales, Christopher Minns, Rabbi Ben Elton, interfaith leaders, the Governor of New South Wales, members of the diplomatic corps, including Ambassador Amir Maimon of Israel.
Tonight, as we gather in one iconic Sydney location, we mourn the devastation inflicted at another.
At this Cathedral dedicated to our Catholic faith, we grieve for all those who were killed affirming their faith.
Jewish Australians deliberately targeted on the first night of Chanukah.
As they came together at that beautiful place to renew their hope, their resilience, their belief in the power of light, the darkness of terror and antisemitism was cast upon them.
Our prayers this evening are for the souls of the innocent people whose lives were so cruelly and violently stolen away at Bondi Beach that Sunday evening.
We pray with those who knew and loved them. Including, I know, the family of Rabbi Eli, who was farewelled today.
Everyone who has lost the centre of their universe.
The love of their life.
Their pride and joy.
We grieve for the light and laughter and strength and comfort that so many have lost.
We grieve for everyone denied their future - and we grieve with everyone who would have shared in their happiness.
We pray that those being treated for their injuries recover.
We reflect with gratitude on the bravery and skill of the police and first responders, who saved lives.
And we offer our thanks for the courage and selflessness of everyday Australians.
People who - in a moment of deadly danger - did not hesitate to run to the aid of strangers.
To shield, shelter or comfort people fleeing in fear.
Ordinary people, demonstrating extraordinary courage.
Including the remarkable actions of Ahmed Al Ahmed, who put himself in the line of fire wrestling a gun away from one of the shooters.
People he has never met, owe him their lives.
We pray for the souls of Boris and Sofia Gurman and Reuven Morrison, murdered while bravely protecting others.
Our nation owes them - and all the heroes of Bondi - a profound debt of gratitude.
Not just for their bravery - but also for their example.
For reminding us that the worst of times, we see the best of the Australian character.
There was pure evil at Bondi on Sunday.
Yet even in that moment we were given proof that evil will never overcome the courage, decency, compassion and kindness of Australians.
That is central to the character of who we are. Our nation is stronger than the cowards who seek to divide us.
The spirit of the country that we have built together will always be greater than those who seek to breach it.
We are braver than the people who try to make us afraid.
We will not be divided.
We will come together, as we are this evening - and we will come through this together.
Friends, this place is where I learned about the love and compassion of Christ.
I commenced school here in Year 5 and for the next eight years I was nurtured here, as a student, as a boy maturing into a young man and as an altar boy in the Guild of St Stephen.
I was raised to believe in the duty we owe to the vulnerable - not as a question of charity, but as the measure of our common humanity.
When we go in peace today, let us carry the hope of this place in our hearts.
For those of us celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ in just over one week, let us live up to his example of love to our neighbours.
Let us wrap our arms around the Jewish community.
And with our words and our deeds, make it clear, you are Australian - and all Australians stand with you.
No matter which faith we worship or whether we have no faith at all, we stand with Jewish Australians.
You have every right to worship and study and work and live in peace and safety.
You have every right to be proud of who you are - and proud of the remarkable contribution your community has made to Sydney and to modern Australia, over generations.
Sunday was a dark day for our nation.
Tonight, as we illuminate this Cathedral, let us ensure Australia remains a land of light.
A nation blessed and enriched and strengthened and inspired by every faith.
And in the days ahead, may your faith comfort you, may it sustain you, may it lift you up and surround you with the love and nurture of others.
