Singapore may be known as a fast-paced financial centre but its growing Catholic community is spreading the word of God even at work.

Established in 2008 as a non-profit organization under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Singapore, the Catholic Business Network (CBN) brings together thousands of “friends” willing to serve the community and promote Catholic morals, values and ethics in the workplace.

President Goh Teik Poh said that business owners can be the voice and face of Christ by embodying Catholic social values in the workplace and showing how they conduct their business with integrity and care for their staff, AsiaNews reported.

Goh, a 59-year-old managing director in the maritime and logistics industry, said entrepreneurs and professionals play a prominent role in their families, companies and communities.

“We don’t have to look very far to see individuals, perhaps within our own families or communities, who need a listening ear or a helping hand to get out of a difficult situation that they find themselves in,” he said.

Singapore’s Christian community is on the rise. Catholics number about 383,000 or 9% of the population and are active in the country’s political and economic life. CBN’s motto is “Shepherds in the Marketplace.”

“We spend a good part of our lives at work. Living our faith therefore must imply that we live out our faith at work as well,” said vice-president Chan Beng Seng.