It is quite clear that tension has been building under a surface of apparent community harmony for some time. We must look to the root causes of this social disharmony, seek authentic information about them, and deal with those matters.

We look to the State Government to create a framework of personal safety and the rule of law that is the precondition for the survival of the tolerant community we desire. All citizens must pledge themselves to supporting appropriate measures from government and community leaders. Faith leaders will have much to do in their communities to assist.

I speak as one of the leaders of the Christian community. We are now moving swiftly into the Christmas season. It is a time when Christians remember the birth of the Saviour, Jesus of Nazareth, who entered this world in a nation divided and under threat from an oppressor. He was a citizen in that part of the world we now call the Middle East.

Jesus himself modelled values of peace and justice. The early Christian community was taught to live in harmony with one another, and not to be overcome by evil but to overcome evil with good. These are the values of Jesus' kingdom that, if they are in evidence in a society, will bring peace and harmony to all.

--Dr Peter Jensen is the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney