Police cordoning off the entrance of St Joseph’s Church in Bukit Timah on Nov 9. - ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): A priest was stabbed while he was conducting evening mass in St Joseph’s Church in Singapore on Saturday (Nov 9).
The alleged assailant was apprehended, and the priest was given medical attention by paramedics, said Culture, Community and Youth Minister Edwin Tong in a Facebook post.
The priest, Rev Christopher Lee, was later taken to the National University Hospital, said the Singapore Civil Defence Force, in response to queries.
In a Facebook post on Nov 9, Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said the attacker was a 37-year-old Singaporean Sinhalese man, who had earlier declared to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority that he is a Christian.
“Police have arrested the attacker and investigations are ongoing,” said Shanmugam. He added that the priest is in stable condition.
The police will release more information once the facts are clearer, he said.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore said in a Saturday (Nov 9) statement that it was saddened to hear of the attack.
It said: “Members of the congregation who were present, including the Archdiocesan Emergency Response team, helped subdue the assailant.
“We ask that the faithful remain calm and avoid speculation on social media while the police carry out their investigations. The Church does not condone violence of any kind.”
It also asked for prayers for the speedy recovery of Father Lee, for the assailant, as well as all those present at the mass, especially children.
Updates will be given when more information is available, it said.
When The Straits Times arrived at the church in Upper Bukit Timah Road at about 7.45pm, five police cars were seen in the church compound, and about 10 police officers were inside the church.
Police officers at St Joseph’s Church (Bukit Timah) on Nov 9. - ST PHOTO: SYARAFANA SHAFEEQ
In his Facebook post, Tong said he was shocked by the incident.
He said: “I understand that the subject has been disarmed and apprehended. The paramedics are attending to the priest. He is being conveyed to the hospital, and he is conscious. Praying that he is ok.
“Such violence, of any form and for any reason, has absolutely no place in Singapore, let alone at a place of worship. The relevant authorities will investigate this incident and address it appropriately.”
Speaking to The Straits Times, a parishioner who wanted to be known only as Ms Lee said she was attending the 5.30pm mass, and the priest was stabbed some time between 6.15pm and 6.20pm, while Holy Communion was being given out.
She added that she was seated in the last few rows of the church, so she could not see clearly what was happening but managed to piece together what had happened after asking others around her.
She said the attacker was seated among the parishioners during the service.
As he approached the priest to receive the communion, he appeared to take out what looked like a small knife, and stabbed the priest, who then fell backwards.
Parishioners then rushed to help the priest as the attacker fled.
They were also asked not to leave until the ambulance left, so as not to block its route.
After the service ended, they stayed on to pray for the priest’s speedy recovery.
The police spoke to parishioners seated in the same row as the attacker, who reportedly left his bag behind.
Ms Lee said: “I was very shocked, I’ve been attending the church for more than 40 years and this is the first time I’ve seen such a thing. I was shaking and was very scared.” - The Straits Times/ANN
