http://apnews.myway.com/article/20051213/D8EFC0M00.html

It looks like the attacks are on those of Lebanese descent. I'm wondering of some of them include our brothers and sisters from the large Melkite and Maronite communities in Australia.

Pavel - any insights?

This is terrible.

Gordo

Unlike the recent riots in France, where Muslim youths started the bonfire, I think this Australian setto does not involve religious confessions (as yet) but good ole racial prejudice, especially the color of one's skin.

Australian "whites" versus Middle Eastern "looks!"

And "Middle Eastern" could very well encompass other darker-skinned Asians and other "aliens": Indians, Pakistani, Filipinos, Indonesians, Sri Lankans, Malaysians, etc.

Maronites and Melkites are naturally subsumed under "Middle Eastern looks."

Could this be an outburst of pent-up emotions against their own Australian aborigines?

Amado


Amado

By Catholic World News, releasing Cardinal Pell's statement:

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Australian cardinal decries racial clashes

Sydney, Dec. 13 (CWNews.com) - Cardinal George Pell of Sydney, Australia, has issued a statement denouncing the riots that have shaken that city, saying that the violent clashes have been a "disgrace."

The rioting broke out in Sydney suburbs over the weekend, pitting gangs of white youths against immigrants from the Middle East. Building on racial tensions and anti-immigrant feelings, the clashes spread among young people gathering at the beaches during the Australian summer.

"This trouble has been brewing on the beaches and in the suburbs for some years," Cardinal Pell observed, noting that alcohol abuse played a significant role in the disorders. The cardinal threw his support behind police efforts to restore order, and urged all Australians to "reject the extremists in both camps" who have fanned the flames of violence.

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Amado

CHURCH SHOTS FIRED

Police are investigating the firing of shots at a Catholic school and church in Sydney's west.

People attending a Christmas carols event at St Joseph the Worker Primary School in South Auburn heard what sounded like gunshots.

Two of the school's staff members later discovered bullet holes in their cars and more than 20 shells were recovered from the scene.

The Catholic Church says it is especially concerned at the targetting of Christmas celebrations at a school attended by children as young as five.

The carols service at Holy Spirit Primary School in Lakemba has now been cancelled.

berg,

Are you saying that both of these events are connected in some way? Just curious...

Gordo

Among more well-known distinctions, Sydney is the seat of the Melkite Greek-Catholic Eparchy of Australia, and also includes one of the few Melkite parochial schools in the diaspora. So there is certainly a strong presence in the city.

I'm stunned by this horrible rioting. Sydney in my limited experience is a lovely, civilized place with a diverse population and remarkably little culture-clash - until now, that is.

A bathing beach is an unlikely spot for a religious riot, since when people are attired basically in bathing suits and towels, it's rather difficult to distinguish their religious preferences!

Incognitus

This seems to have a lot to do with ethnic gangs that spilt over into the general community. The Muslim gangs that relatiated the next day targeted Maronites and Christian Arabs. It is possible this was more to do with the Muslims challenging the Christians to join in as Arabs, who they say are looked down on. By no means did these youth have the support of the mosque. One Tongan Protestant church that was burnt down was next door to a Mosque who had a good relationship with each other. Vietmanese as well as white Austrlians found themselves on the receiving end of the violence. There was an emergency calling of the New South Wales parliament into session to pass special powers to the police to deal with rioting. Extra police are in the affected areas including locking down entire areas. Muslims do feel that they have been singled out in the war on terrorism. Considering the extent of the violence would suggest the issues run much deeper than a gang of Lebanese bashing a few life savers.

For those who are interested in following up the news on this item the following is a link to The Sydney Morning Herald:

http://www.smh.com.au/

A Christmas Caroling concert has now been cancelled. Sounds like Sydney is coming under Islamic law.

I think that is just good planing to prevent anyone getting hurt should any of the gangs seek to use the events to cause more trouble. There will be heaps of children at such an event and that has to be born in mind. People are also encouraged to avoid the beaches in certain areas just incase there is trouble. Police dont want families caught up in the middle if things go wrong.