SINGAPORE: A 37-year-old man will be charged in court on Monday (Nov 11) with voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapon, following the stabbing of a Catholic priest at St Joseph’s Church in Upper Bukit Timah on Saturday evening.
If found guilty, the man, who was not named by the police in a media briefing in the early hours of Sunday, faces a jail term of up to 15 years, as well as a fine or caning.
The police said there is currently no evidence to suggest that it was a religiously motivated attack.
The police said a foldable knife was used in the attack. Four other weapons were also found in the suspect’s possession.
On Saturday evening, Father Christopher Lee, who is the parish priest of the church, was stabbed by a man during mass.
The attack happened during communion at the parish’s monthly children’s mass, during which children perform duties that are usually undertaken by adults. Children also occupy the front rows at these events, but they are open to all to attend
Members of the congregation, including the Archdiocesan Emergency Response team, helped subdue the assailant, according to the statement by the Catholic Church.
