'Kill you': Vile threat to Sydney Catholic priest reveals Bondi massacre's lasting impact

By MATT JONES, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 06:33, 2 May 2026 | Updated: 06:33, 2 May 2026 A Catholic priest in Sydney is currently under police guard after receiving a death threat in an anonymous two-page letter.  Father Mirko Integlia was left fearing for his safety after the letter was sent to Holy Cross Catholic Church in Bondi Junction 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,' part of the letter read.  Officers from NSW Police's Taskforce Shelter, whose job is to respond to threats at places of worship, quickly moved to put the priest under police watch.  The intelligence-led police unit of more than 250 officers also patrols high-risk areas. Father Integlia, from Presenzano outside Naples in southern Italy, was not directly addressed in the letter, the Daily Telegraph reports.  However, he is the suspected target due to his support of Sydney's Jewish community following the Bondi terror attack.  Father Integlia previously wrote that he found it 'impossible' to celebrate New Year's Eve due to his pain over the death of 10-year-old Bondi victim Matilda.  Sydney priest Father Mirko Integlia (pictured) is under police watch after threatening letter was sent to Holy Cross Catholic Church on Thursday Holy Cross Catholic Church is located in Bondi Junction, Sydney is pictured Jewish girl Matilda, 10, was killed in the mass shooting at Bondi Beach in December 'Matilda, the Australian girl tragically killed on December 14 during the Bondi Beach shooting, is the last victim of the year - the final name in a long and shocking list,' the priest wrote in a blog post.  'I find it hard - almost impossible - to raise a glass and say 'Happy New Year' when so many parents are learning how to breathe again after burying their children, when so many families are living with an absence that will never be filled, when the world seems capable of explaining everything except how this keeps happening.' Police have examined the letter and detected two different sets of fingerprints on it. Mass will still be held at the church on Sunday.  A Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney spokeswoman has slammed the letter, saying it had no place in a free society like Australia. '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,' she said.  '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.' NSW Opposition leader Kellie Sloane said she spoke to the church and offered her support through the ordeal, saying she expects police to take 'swift action'. Father Integlia (pictured) has been vocal about last year's Bondi terror attack 'Father Mirko runs an inclusive and welcoming parish in our community,' she said. 'The repeated harassment and then sinister threats in a letter from this individual have terrified local parishioners.' Father Integlia also shared a message on the church's website, writing: 'There are things that are close to my heart, like caring for those who are lonely or sick.' 'Please don't treat me like I'm an outsider or an authority. I'm coming to you as someone you have known for ages - like a father, a brother, an uncle, or a close friend. I'm coming to you with an open heart.' NSW Police has urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers. The Daily Mail contacted Holy Cross Catholic Church for comment. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.