This is the second attack in a few months after another priest was hit last November.
Fr Cary Chan of the Archdiocese of Singapore who was hit by a man inside the Church of the Holy Spirit on Feb. 9. The assailant, a 22-year-old young man from the city-state of Chinese origin and with special needs, punched the priest in the head, causing minor injuries to his face.
Interviewed by the local media, Fr Chan gave his testimony about the attack: ‘He gave me a hard blow to the head. I feel a bit shaken; I did not expect such a strong blow from him'. Taken by surprise, the priest had no way to defend himself, and his glasses, were broken when they fell to the ground.
According to Fr Chan, the attacker is a regular churchgoer and is partially blind, which is why he may not have recognised the priest. Meanwhile, the police say in a note that they have arrested a 22-year-old man involved in the attack. The police said that the young man will be sent to the Institute of Mental Health for further and more thorough assessment.
The assault occurred at around 9.30 a.m., while Sunday mass was being celebrated inside the place of worship. The attacker entered shouting, causing panic among the faithful present at the service. In response, Fr Chan approached the man to intervene and ask him to follow him out of the church. The young man was angered after someone removed his backpack from inside the church, fearing it might contain explosive material or weapons.
‘He was angry and asked for his bag back,’ Fr Chan added. Once the bag was retrieved, the man landed a punch in the priest's face, injuring him and causing his glasses to fall to the ground. Meanwhile, a volunteer from the parish security team immediately restrained the attacker and informed the police.
In spite of the attack and the hematoma on his face, the priest wanted to celebrate the 11.30am mass as planned. ‘I felt my head throbbing throughout the celebration,’ he said, ‘but I didn't want the parishioners to know.
Apart from a slight swelling on his face, the priest is in good health and after initial treatment should not require further medical attention.
Local Church leaders call on the faithful and parishioners to respond with ‘faith, prayer and compassion’. ‘We ask everyone to remain calm, to avoid speculation,’ the archdiocesan note continues, ’and to pray for the priest and the person involved in the accident. When available, the Catholic leadership promised to provide further updates.
Yesterday's incident came just four months after another attack in which Fr Christopher Lee, pastor of St Joseph's Church in the Bukit Timah region in the west-central sector, was stabbed by a man while celebrating mass. Following the attack, the Catholic leadership and the authorities further tightened controls and security at places of worship.
STATEMENT from the Archdiocese of Singapore:
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore reports that on 9 February 2025 after the 9:30am Mass, a priest at the Church of the Holy Spirit was hit by a 22-year-old man.
The priest has been attended to by medics, and apart from some slight swelling on his face, is safe and well.
The police are investigating the matter.
We ask for everyone to remain calm, avoid speculation, and to pray for the priest and the person involved in the incident.
We will continue to provide updates when more information on this incident is made available.
Issued by the Archbishop’s Communications Office,
9 February 2025
Sources: ASIA NEWS IT and https://www.catholic.sg/priest-hit-by-man-in-church-9-feb-2025/
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