Archbishop Emeritus Nicholas Chia was the first Singapore-born clergyman to be appointed to the position. - ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF SINGAPORE/FACEBOOK
SINGAPORE: Archbishop Emeritus Nicholas Chia, the first Singapore-born clergyman to be appointed as head of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore, has died at the age of 86.
Announcing the death on Facebook late on Tuesday (Dec 17), Cardinal William Goh said Archbishop Emeritus Chia “passed away peacefully this evening at St Theresa’s Home”.
Arrangements for the public to pay their respects and the funeral proceedings will be announced later, he added.
Earlier in the day, at about 2.50pm, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore posted on its Facebook and Instagram accounts, calling for prayers for the archbishop emeritus.
“His Grace, Archbishop Emeritus Nicholas Chia, is critically ill. We invite all to pray for him and for those who care for him during this time,” it said.
In an hour, the posts collectively drew nearly 2,000 reactions, with commenters praying for his recovery and wishing him well.
In a Facebook post just before Dec 17 midnight, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said: “A devoted shepherd and steadfast pillar of the Catholic community, his unwavering faith, humility, and compassion enriched many lives. My deepest condolences to the Catholic community.”
Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC MP Alex Yam also paid tribute to Archbishop Emeritus Chia in a Facebook post.
“He was a shepherd who served with unwavering faith, humility, and love for his people,” said Yam.
“I was blessed to have encountered his pastoral wisdom and kindness when I worshipped at the cathedral, and I know his legacy will live on in the hearts of the faithful and in the Church he so dearly loved.”
Speaking to The Straits Times, civil servant Nick Lim, 27, said that he was sad to hear of the archbishop emeritus’ death.
“I find comfort knowing His Grace is in a better place. The Catholic Church has been my home for the past two years, and I know it is built on people like him,” said Lim.
Solomon Tan, who works as a social service professional, said he will always remember Archbishop Emeritus Chia for his “tireless work in fostering interfaith dialogue and breaking down barriers between faiths”.
“He was truly an active pioneer in strengthening unity in Singapore, not just between races, but also religions. His call for inclusion is something I am deeply proud of, and aspire to emulate,” said the 34-year-old.
‘A people’s priest’
According to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore’s website, Archbishop Emeritus Chia had a reputation as “a people’s priest”, who emphasised the importance of the adage, “A leader who knows the way, shows the way, goes the way”, while continuing to be collaborative and approachable.
Born on April 8, 1938, he studied at Holy Innocents’ English School (renamed Montfort School in 1959, and subsequently split into Montfort Secondary and Montfort Junior schools) in his youth, and was ordained as a priest on Jan 26, 1964, in the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd.
Following this, he began his ministry as assistant parish priest at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, then went on to serve in the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour in 1966 and Church of the Holy Cross in 1980, where he remained for 21 years.
He set up the Singapore Pastoral Institute, where he served as director from 1978 to 1990, and was in 1995 appointed chancellor and procurator of the archdiocese, handling its clergy and financial and business affairs respectively.
He succeeded Malaysia-born Archbishop Gregory Yong as Archbishop of Singapore on Oct 7, 2001.
Archbishop Chia was succeeded by then Monsignor Goh as head of the Catholic Church in Singapore on May 18, 2013. After his retirement, he took up residence at the Catholic Spirituality Centre.
On Feb 18, 2014, he suffered a fall, and was transferred after a period of recovery to St Theresa’s Home, where he continued to receive the necessary care until his death. - The Straits Times/ANN
