Maronite bishop urges community to address causes of Australian riots

Published: 2005-12-14

SYDNEY, Australia (CNS) -- An Australian bishop called on the community to address the causes of the riots that swept through Sydney's beachside suburbs. Maronite Bishop 'Ad Abikaram of Sydney denounced the racially motivated riots and asked the community to "resolve problems, whatever their cause, for the sake of the future of Australia." "As an Australian Christian of Lebanese background, it is my belief that it is necessary to address the root causes that lead young people to commit wanton acts of vandalism and violence. I believe that it is critical to the resolution of this problem that we as a community foster in all young people a sense of self-esteem and belonging to Australia," the bishop said. The bishop's comments followed two nights of sustained gang violence as carloads of young Lebanese men from Sydney's western suburbs went on a rampage. On Dec. 12, some 400 parents and children who were singing carols at St. Joseph the Worker Primary School, Auburn, were verbally abused by a group of youths of Middle Eastern appearance.

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