In response to the shocking November 9 stabbing of Fr. Christopher Lee, parish priest of St. Joseph Church in Bukit Timah, Cardinal William Goh, Archbishop of Singapore, has urged Catholics to strengthen their commitment to religious harmony and community vigilance.
The incident, which occurred during a 5:30 pm Mass, left Fr. Lee hospitalized, but he is now recovering under medical care.
The attack has shaken Singapore’s Catholic community, spurring a call to action from the cardinal to reinforce peace and unity among all faiths.
In a pastoral letter dated November 10, Cardinal Goh addressed the Catholic faithful with a message of resilience and faith: “We must continue to work together to preserve religious and racial harmony, not allowing confused individuals to sow seeds of division and fear among us,” he wrote. “Above all, we trust in God’s protection and care for all of us in Singapore.”
Cardinal Goh noted that, despite the fear this violent act instilled, it has brought about an unexpected opportunity for reflection and solidarity.
“This event has reminded us of our responsibility to support each other through religious harmony, helping our communities live a life of faith, love, and charity in truth,” he emphasized.
When Cardinal Goh visited Fr. Lee in the hospital on November 10, he expressed both sorrow and gratitude, stating, “This incident, though tragic and horrifying, has served as a wake-up call for us all. God may be using it to alert us to greater dangers and the need for vigilant security in our places of worship.” He acknowledged the critical organs of Fr. Lee were miraculously unharmed, remarking, “The consequences could have been far worse.”
Cardinal Goh urged the entire faith community to stay vigilant. “This is a call not only for the Catholic Church but for all religious organizations to remind their members to be attentive and alert to suspicious activities,” he said, while also cautioning against overreaction. “Our churches are public spaces, and strict security should not deter believers from worshipping. We cannot let fear control us; doing so would allow evil to triumph.”
Cardinal Goh also highlighted the importance of balancing safety with courage. “Religious leaders must minister to our flock courageously, without fear, while maintaining sensible safety measures,” he stated.
“We firmly believe that God will transform evil into good and that fear should not paralyze the proclamation of the gospel,”he said.
He extended gratitude to the Archdiocesan Emergency Response Operations (AERO) Council, established in 2016 to enhance parish security protocols, as well as to the Singapore Police Force, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and other government bodies that have supported the Church’s security efforts.
AERO, in collaboration with church volunteers, regularly trains parishioners to recognize and report suspicious activities, and works closely with law enforcement to safeguard the community.
The cardinal has directed all parishes and Catholic institutions to revisit their security protocols and encouraged the faithful to cooperate with necessary crowd control measures. “Our community’s safety and well-being are a shared responsibility,” he reminded the Church.
Beyond physical security, Cardinal Goh underscored the need to deepen the Church’s commitment to its spiritual mission.
“In times like these, we must continue to proclaim the Gospel of mercy, compassion, and reconciliation,” he said. “Let us not let fear paralyze us but share our faith with confidence, entrusting ourselves to God.”
Cardinal Goh expressed his appreciation for the solidarity and support extended by various religious organizations, individuals, and government officials, including Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Minister for Law and Home Affairs K. Shanmugam, and Minister for Culture, Community, and Youth Edwin Tong.
He also commended the swift response of parishioners on duty and the dedicated care provided by the medical staff at the National University Hospital.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this unsettling event, Cardinal Goh remains hopeful. “This incident has made our church stronger, uniting our people through faith and prayer. It reminds us to remain vigilant and not take our hard-won peace and security for granted. Together, we will emerge from this more resilient than ever,” he affirmed.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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