A priest in Sydney is the suspected target of a death threat, following his support for the Jewish community in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack.
Father Mirko Integlia is under police protection, after the Holy Cross Catholic Catholic Church in Bondi Junction received the anonymous two-page letter on Thursday.
“If you keep saying things about Muslims, I will kill all of you… if you say anything about Islam, you'll suffer the same”, the letter stated, as reported by the Daily Telegraph in Australia.
Fr Mirko is not directly addressed, but he is believed to be the focus because of his comments after the massacre in December 2025.
In a blog post, he said it was “impossible” to celebrate the new year while thinking about the “massacre of the innocents”. He highlighted ten year-old Matilda, who was killed in the attack.
The death threat was received on the same day a report about the massacre was published. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Officers from the New South Wales Taskforce Shelter are said to have put Fr Mirko under police watch.
A Facebook post from the church said: “Last week our parish was shaken by the heartbreaking news that our beloved priest, Fr Mirko Integlia, received death threats. A man who has spent his life serving God, standing by families in their darkest moments, comforting the broken, guiding the lost, and giving his whole heart to this community should never have to face fear and hatred alone.”
The congregation will hold a special service on 17 May to show solidarity. “Let this Mass be more than a service — let it be a powerful message that our community stands together, stronger than fear”, the post added.
A spokeswoman for the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney told the Daily Mail: “Every person has the right to feel safe in a place of worship and it is deeply saddening that there are some within our community who seek to create fear among those trying to practice their religious faith.
“We abhor any violence and threats of violence to congregants and leaders of churches, synagogues, mosques and temples and will work with all people of goodwill to promote religious freedom and social cohesion”, she added.