Thanksgiving Mass held for the elevation of Cardinal Goh in Singapore

The Archdiocese of Singapore on September 8 held a thanksgiving Mass to celebrate the elevation of William Goh, 64, as the city state’s first cardinal.

He was one of the 20 new cardinals Pope Francis inducted at the Vatican on August 27.

The thanksgiving Mass was held at St. Joseph's Church in Bukit Timah. Over 3,500 people attended the event. 

In his homily, Goh described his appointment as "a very humbling experience."

Goh said Singapore is an icon of religious harmony in the world, where religious leaders and the government work hand in hand for the good of society, instead of being at odds with one another.

He wants to spread peace and unity similar to the rest of Asia by fostering dialogue between different religions. 

The event was attended by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, his wife, Madam Ho Ching, and several Cabinet ministers, as well as 23 leaders of various faiths and religious organizations.

Prime Minister Lee said that he was "happy to attend the thanksgiving Mass to celebrate Archbishop William Goh's becoming a Cardinal, a rank second only to the Pope in the church hierarchy."

"I wish Cardinal Goh all the best in his new appointment, and am confident he will continue working with fellow religious leaders in our multi-religious landscape, to maintain our unity and harmony, especially as we build a new social compact for the country," Lee added. 

Several other government officials praised Goh for his service to the country. 

One of them was K Shanmugam, Minister of Law and Home Affairs, who told media people that he had known Cardinal Goh for many years and was impressed by his "sincerity, purity of character, and deep passion and desire to serve others."

"In his typical way, he said a few words just now. He said he doesn't know why he has been appointed a cardinal. I think when you interact with him, we all know why," Shanmugam added. 

"It is a great and significant honour for Singapore and him," said Shanmugam. "But I know he doesn't take it as a personal honour, he does it as a service." 

Several other government officials praised Goh for his service to the country. 

One of them was K Shanmugam, Minister of Law and Home Affairs, who told media people that he had known Cardinal Goh for many years and was impressed by his "sincerity, purity of character, and deep passion and desire to serve others."

"In his typical way, he said a few words just now. He said he doesn't know why he has been appointed a cardinal. I think when you interact with him, we all know why," Shanmugam added. 

"It is a great and significant honour for Singapore and him," said Shanmugam. "But I know he doesn't take it as a personal honour, he does it as a service."

Goh's appointment was "historic" for Singapore, according to Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for Social and Family Development and Minister in Charge of Muslim Affairs.

Zulkifli said further, "We appreciate the honour that is bestowed on him for his leadership and his commitment to spreading harmony and peace among various faiths." 

Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said,  "Congratulations to Archbishop William Goh on his appointment as Cardinal—the first Singaporean to be appointed." 

He praised Singapore as a model of religious harmony and reminded everybody of their universal responsibility to help forge a better world—a more cohesive, compassionate, and inclusive society. 

The former ophthalmologist "was delighted to meet old friends from the inter-religious organisation of Singapore. We have much to be grateful for in Singapore," said Balakrishnan, a Christian.  

The Cardinals are the Pope's top advisers and administrators in the Vatican and around the world, and they are second in the Catholic Church's hierarchy only to the Pope.

If Pope Francis dies or resigns, those under the age of 80 can vote in a conclave to choose a new Pope from among themselves.

Among the cardinal electors, Goh is the only ethnic Chinese prelate. 

Born in Singapore to Chinese parents in 1957, he was ordained a priest in 1985 after studies in Singapore and at the Pontifical Urbanian University in Rome. Later, he studied dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

In 2013, he was named Archbishop of Singapore. From 2015 to 2021, he served as Episcopal President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei (MSB) for the Apostleship of the Sea.

Singapore is a multi-religious and multi-ethnic country with a population of approximately 5.7 million people. Most Chinese are Buddhists, while the majority of Malaysians are Muslims.

Christians make up about 15% of the population. The Archdiocese of Singapore, which encompasses the entire island, has approximately 360,000 Catholics divided into 32 parishes.