Yet another attack against a priest in Singapore. The second episode in a few months after the one last November, which is beginning to ring more than a few alarm bells in an area where there are strict controls and, at least until now, no serious episodes of violence against Catholics have been recorded. This time it was Fr Cary Chan of the Archdiocese of Singapore who was attacked by a man inside the Church of the Holy Spirit on Upper Thomson Road on 10th February 2025. The assailant, a 22-year-old young man from the city-state of Chinese origin and with special needs, punched the priest in the head, causing minor injuries to his face.
Interviewed by the local media, Fr Chan gave his testimony about the attack: ‘He gave me a hard blow to the head. I feel a bit shaken; I did not expect such a strong blow from him’. Taken by surprise, the priest had no way to defend himself. According to Fr Chan, the attacker is a regular churchgoer and is partially blind, which is why he may not have recognised the priest. Meanwhile, the police say in a note that they have arrested a 22-year-old man involved in the attack on the Upper Thomson Road church. The police emphasise that the young man will be sent to the Institute of Mental Health for further and more thorough assessment.