Priest stabbed during mass in Singapore

 

The attack took place in St Joseph’s Church in Upper Bukit Timah. The parish priest, Fr Christopher Lee, was injured. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

A priest at a Catholic church in Singapore is reportedly in stable condition after being stabbed near the mouth during mass this evening.

Singapore’s home minister K Shanmugam said police arrested a 37-year-old Singaporean Sinhalese man, who had previously declared himself to be Christian, according to a Channel News Asia (CNA) report.

The victim was identified as parish priest Christopher Lee of St Joseph’s Church in Upper Bukit Timah, according to a church message seen by CNA.

Singapore’s culture, community and youth minister Edwin Tong condemned the attack, saying: “Such violence, of any form and for any reason, has absolutely no place in Singapore, let alone at a place of worship.”

A man who attended the mass said parishioners were told to sit down, remain calm and pray for Lee after the incident. He said he did not know what had happened until he saw several police officers arriving and heard the term “assailant” being used.

Later, he spoke to other parishioners who were seated near the front who said the priest stepped back after a commotion and was stabbed near his mouth. - FMT