Singapore’s first cardinal keen to promote harmony in Asia

He hopes to bring to region the Republic’s unique brand of inter-religious dialogue

- Tham Yuen-C

Singapore’s first cardinal has set his sights on promoting religious harmony in Asia, through strengthening dialogue between the different religions.

Cardinal William Goh, one of 20 new cardinals formally installed by Pope Francis at a ceremony in the Vatican City yesterday, said in an interview with The Sunday Times before his trip that he hoped to bring to the region Singapore’s unique brand of inter-religious dialogue.

For instance, the Archdiocese of Singapore will set up a research institute to look into methodologies on how to promote friendship with other religious leaders and share them with bishops in the region.

These bishops have often asked the Roman Catholic Church in Singapore about how to get the different religions talking.

Cardinal Goh, who is also archbishop of Singapore, said during the Aug 16 interview that the state of affairs in Singapore is not something that happens overnight.

He added: “The Government has always been conscious of promoting unity, giving the support without being the one who’s driving it...

“The Government sees us as partners because we are building a better society – we want to live a harmonious life in Singapore.

“We work with the Government where we have common values, and the Government respects us, we respect the Government because, at the end of the day, religion doesn’t get involved in politics.”

This is not the case in some other countries where religion and politics are so closely linked “sometimes you don’t know where religion is, where politics is”, he said.

His appointment comes after the local archdiocese celebrated its 200th year last year.