Search the Community

SINGAPORE: A priest at a Catholic church was injured following an incident on Saturday evening (Nov 9). CNA understands it was a knife attack. The incident took place at St Joseph's Church, located along Upper Bukit Timah between Cashew and Hillview MRT stations. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) told CNA it received a call for assistance at 6.30pm from 620 Upper Bukit Timah, the address of the church. An SCDF team sent one person, understood to be the priest, to National University Hospital. When CNA arrived at the church at about 7.50pm, at least eight police vehicles and 20 officers were seen on the church premises. Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong condemned the attack. "Such violence, of any form and for any reason, has absolutely no place in Singapore, let alone at a place of worship. The relevant authorities will investigate this incident and address it appropriately," said Mr Tong in a Facebook post at 8pm. One person who attended the mass said he was near the back of the hall when the incident happened. The man, who declined to be named, said an announcement was made asking parishioners to sit down and remain calm, and informing them that an ambulance had been called. Parishioners were told not to drive out so that they would not block the way of the ambulance, he said. They were also asked to pray for Father Christopher, he added. He was still unsure of what had happened until he saw many police officers arriving and heard the term “assailant” being used. Later, he spoke to some parishioners who were seated nearer the front. They said there was some commotion, and that the priest stepped back but was stabbed near his mouth. The parishioner who spoke to CNA said he stayed in the church to pray, but was asked by police officers to leave the area outside the service hall. This is a developing story. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/st-josephs-church-upper-bukit-timah-priest-knife-attack-4737936