Police step up patrols at places of worship after St Joseph's Church stabbing: MHA

The Singapore police have stepped up patrols at places of worship after a Catholic priest, 57, was injured in a knife attack at St Joseph's Church in Upper Bukit Timah on Nov. 9.

This is to provide assurance to the public, said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in a Nov. 10 press release.

MHA also reiterated that the alleged assailant, who had been identified as Basnayake Keith Spencer, 37, had "antecedents of serious hurt and misuse of drug offences".

He is believed to have "acted alone" based on preliminary investigations by the police.

"There is currently no evidence to suggest that it was a religiously motivated attack or an act of terror," added MHA.

Police offering support, resources to church

According to MHA, preliminary investigations found that Basnayake was disarmed by two members of the congregation after stabbing Father Christopher Lee during mass.

After the two parishioners subdued Basnayake, other members of the congregation provided first aid to Lee.

Police officers subsequently arrived "within 10 minutes of the call for assistance" and arrested Basnayake.

"The police are also in contact with St Joseph's Church to provide support and resources, including professional psychological support for the congregants (which included children) who witnessed the attack," said MHA.

Importance of being prepared for emergency

MHA added that this incident "shows the value of being prepared for an emergency", even though such incidents "are far and few between in Singapore".

Referring to how St Joseph's Church parishioners responded to the knife attack, the ministry said:

"We can all play our part to build up the resilience of our society to emergencies by staying alert, responding to threats appropriately, and picking up life-saving skills such as first-aid, the use of AED devices and cardiopulmonary resuscitation."

"These skills can make a difference between life and death, and are critical before the authorities arrive on scene, as in this incident," read the statement.

At the same time, the police "will continue to work with religious organisations to be vigilant and prepared for emergencies", said MHA.

'Outpouring support' from other faiths

Since the incident took place, many religious leaders in Singapore have denounced the knife attack and expressed their solidarity with the Catholic community.

In response, Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam said he was "encouraged to read about the outpouring of support" from other faiths in Singapore.

He noted that violent incidents in a religious setting with religious undertones "can sometimes spark distrust and suspicion between religious communities" in other countries.

"We are fortunate that in Singapore, our various faiths and their leaders have instead stood shoulder to shoulder in support of each other during trying times, including this incident," said Shanmugam.

"This will stand our society in good stead if and when other attacks, including terror attacks, take place," he added.

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong also said that he is heartened to see Singaporeans of different faiths coming together "with a singular unity and calm" to this incident.

MHA urges public to 'refrain from speculation'

Basnayake will be charged tomorrow (Nov. 11) with voluntarily causing grievous hurt by a dangerous weapon.

The police will also be seeking a court order for the man to be remanded and undergo a psychiatric evaluation, added the ministry.

As investigations are ongoing, MHA urged the public to refrain from speculation.

"Instead, let us remain calm and united and focus on supporting those who were affected by this incident," MHA said.

@mothershipsg there is no evidence to suggest that it was a religiously motivated attack. #tiktoksg #sgnews #singapore #church ♬ original sound - Mothership

Related stories