Knife Attack on Priest During Mass at St Joseph’s Church in Singapore
A shocking incident occurred at St Joseph’s Church in Bukit Timah, Singapore, on Saturday evening when a priest was injured in a knife attack during mass. The attacker, a 37-year-old Singaporean Sinhalese, has been arrested by the police.
Minister’s Statement
Singapore’s Minister for Home Affairs and Law, K. Shanmugam, confirmed that the priest, identified as Christopher Lee, a parish priest of St Joseph Church, was sent to the hospital and is in a stable condition. The minister added that the attacker had previously declared his religion as Christian to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
Church Statement
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore identified the victim as Christopher Lee and issued a statement urging the community to remain calm and avoid speculation on social media while the police conduct their investigations. The Church also asked for prayers for the speedy recovery of Father Lee, for the assailant, and for all those present at mass, especially the children who may have been affected by the incident.
Police Investigation
The Singapore Police Force received a call for assistance at around 6:30 pm and arrested the attacker, who has a history of serious hurt and drug-related offences. The police said based on the preliminary investigations, the man is believed to have acted alone. "Police do not suspect that this is an act of terrorism, for now," the police said in a statement.
Community Response
The public is urged to remain calm and refrain from speculation as investigations continue to ascertain the motive behind the incident. The Church does not condone violence of any kind and is working closely with the police to ensure a thorough investigation.
Conclusion
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, and the Church and police are working together to ensure a thorough investigation and bring the perpetrator to justice. The community is urged to remain calm and avoid speculation on social media while the investigation is ongoing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happened during the mass at St Joseph’s Church?
A: A priest was injured in a knife attack during mass at St Joseph’s Church in Bukit Timah, Singapore.
Q: Who is the attacker?
A: The attacker is a 37-year-old Singaporean Sinhalese who has been arrested by the police.
Q: What is the condition of the priest?
A: The priest, identified as Christopher Lee, is in a stable condition at the hospital.
Q: Is the incident suspected to be an act of terrorism?
A: The police do not suspect that this is an act of terrorism, for now.
Q: What is the community response?
A: The community is urged to remain calm and refrain from speculation on social media while the investigation is ongoing.