Assaulted Singaporean priest ‘recovering well’ despite serious injuries

The Singaporean priest who was stabbed while celebrating Mass has been reported to be “recovering well despite having serious injuries.”

In an update from his parish, Saint Joseph’s Church in Bukit Timah, Father Christopher Lee was said to have made a few public appearances since he was attacked on November 9.

“Speaking at each Mass last weekend, he thanked the parishioners for their support and prayers over the past weeks,” the parish update said.

The 57-year-old priest attained “an 8cm laceration on his tongue, a 3cm cut on his upper left lip, and a 4cm cut on the corner of his mouth,” according to the charge sheet.

He spent six days at the hospital, where he was personally visited by Singapore Archbishop William Cardinal Goh, as well as his assistant parish priest Msgr. Peter Zhang and Father Lourdusamy Prasanna.

The court hearing on his assault began on December 2, with assailant Keith Spencer Basnayake attending via video link.

The 37-year-old is being held at the Changi Prison Complex Medical Center for psychiatric assessment.

Since Father Lee’s assault, the Archdiocese of Singapore has been on high alert when it comes to church security.

On December 1, a 36-year-old man was reported to the police after being found in possession of a folding knife at Saint Joseph’s Church.

The man, who was later identified as a handyman and a regular parishioner, explained that he was attending to a job before the Mass and forgot that he brought his tools with him.

“The man was compliant and readily gave up the knife to the police when they arrived,” said the parish update.

The Archdiocesan Emergency Response Operations (AERO) Council has been encouraging the faithful to stay vigilant and report any unusual actions happening within places of worship.