No tolerance for violence in places of worship, say religious groups

Leaders of major faiths stand with Catholic community, pray for priest's recovery

- Ian Cheng

Immigration and Checkpoints Authority that he is a Christian, said Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam in a Facebook post.

The 57-year-old priest, identified by the Catholic Church in Singapore as Reverend Christopher Lee, was conscious when taken to the National University Hospital. He is in stable condition.

Police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force received calls for help at about 6.30pm.

A parishioner who asked to be known only as Ms Lee told The Sunday Times that she was attending the 5.30pm mass, and the priest was stabbed some time between 6.15pm and 6.20pm while Holy Communion was being given out.

She said she did not have a clear view of what was happening as she was seated in the last few rows of the church, but pieced together what happened after asking others around her.

The attacker was seated among the parishioners during the service, Ms Lee said. As he approached the priest to receive communion, he appeared to take out what looked like a small knife and stabbed the priest, who then fell backwards.

The attack took place during the monthly children's mass. Many children were sitting near the front when the attack happened, and they started screaming and crying, sources said.

Members of the congregation, including the Archdiocesan Emergency Response team, helped subdue the assailant, said the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore in a statement.

Formed in 2016, the team is made up of volunteers who serve as first responders in emergencies.

In a Facebook post, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said violence has no place in Singapore.

"Most of all, we must uphold the safety and sanctity of our places of worship places where people seek peace, solace, and community," he added.