A Roman Catholic priest was attacked while conducting mass inside a church in Singapore on Saturday, according to police reports. The incident, however, is not believed to be an act of terrorism.
The priest, who was taken to the hospital, is currently in stable condition, while the Singaporean assailant has been apprehended, as stated in a police statement shared on Facebook.
Singapore, renowned for being one of Asia's safest cities, experiences extremely rare instances of violent crimes like stabbings or shootings.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong expressed his shock and sadness over the event, identifying the priest as Christopher Lee. Wong emphasized, 'Violence has no place in Singapore. Above all, we must safeguard the safety and sanctity of our places of worship — spaces where people seek peace, solace, and community.'
The police statement revealed that the 57-year-old priest was stabbed during the mass. The attacker was subdued by members of the congregation before being arrested by the police.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the man acted alone, and the police do not currently suspect this to be an act of terrorism.
The suspect, a 37-year-old member of the local Sinhalese community, had previously identified himself as a Christian. The incident occurred at Saint Joseph's Church, located in an affluent suburb of the city.
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