A Singaporean man, Basnayake Keith Spencer, appeared in court on Monday charged with stabbing a Catholic priest during Mass over the weekend, though authorities confirmed no evidence suggests a religious or terrorist motive behind the attack.
The 37-year-old allegedly attacked 57-year-old parish priest Christopher Lee Kwong Heng with a foldable knife during Saturday evening Mass at St. Joseph’s Church in Bukit Timah. Congregants quickly intervened, disarming and detaining Spencer, who was reportedly carrying additional weapons, including a penknife and mallet, until police arrived.
The Ministry of Home Affairs stated, “There is currently no evidence to suggest that it was a religiously motivated attack or an act of terror.” Spencer faces charges of voluntarily causing grievous hurt with a weapon likely to cause death—a charge carrying a possible life sentence, up to 15 years in prison, caning, and a fine. Authorities have yet to determine a clear motive, though Spencer has a history of drug use and violent offenses.
Father Lee sustained mouth injuries and is recovering in the hospital. Religious leaders across Singapore, noted by Pew Research for its religious diversity, condemned the attack and expressed support for the Catholic community, which makes up about 7% of the population. Archbishop William Goh urged vigilance in religious organizations against suspicious activities.
In response to the incident, police have increased patrols at places of worship, reinforcing Singapore’s commitment to safety amid rising crime rates. In another incident last Friday, a man assaulted an officer with an improvised flamethrower at a park and was charged with attempted murder. These events come during a time when Singapore, known for its safety, is grappling with an uptick in crime, including a 4.1% rise to over 10,000 incidents in the first half of 2024.
