{"id":22196,"date":"2025-12-22T19:05:40","date_gmt":"2025-12-22T11:05:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=22196"},"modified":"2025-12-22T19:05:40","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T11:05:40","slug":"churchgoers-calm-as-mass-resumes-at-st-josephs-church-1-day-after-suspicious-item-was-found","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=22196","title":{"rendered":"Churchgoers calm as mass resumes at St Joseph\u2019s Church, 1 day after suspicious item was found"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">SINGAPORE \u2013 <!-- -->Regular churchgoers trickled in as usual for <!-- -->morning mass on Dec 22<!-- --> at St Joseph\u2019s Church in Bukit Timah, a day after <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/man-arrested-under-anti-terrorism-laws-after-suspicious-item-found-in-st-josephs-church-in-bukit?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular inline\" data-testid=\"paragraph-test-id\">a suspicious item \u2013 which was later determined to be harmless \u2013 was found on its premises<\/p>\n<p><\/a>. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">About 50 of them attended the first mass of the day at 6.30am, after the church was closed on Dec 21. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">At the end of the half-hour mass, the Reverend Peter Zhang addressed the congregation and thanked them for their patience and understanding.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cWe are relieved that all of us are well and that we can resume the celebration of masses. Let us give thanks to God for his blessings and for keeping our community safe.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">On behalf of the priests of the parish, he also advised parishioners not to make any speculations or uninformed opinions. Parish priest Christopher Lee was also present<!-- --> at mass<!-- -->.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Churchgoers return to St Joseph\u2019s a day after suspicious item caused evacuation\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vn9HdKJGOAs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Retiree Nelson Quah, 74, was among those at the 6.30am service. He attends mass on most days, but was not at the church on Dec 21 as he was ill.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Mr Quah said he would continue attending church regularly as he had been doing so for many years, but suggested that more security measures could be put in place during the festive period.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">He said he felt very sad and concerned when he found out about the incident on Dec 21.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cIt is so soon after the incident of the priest, this happened again,\u201d he said, referring to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/priest-stabbed-at-st-josephs-church-in-bukit-timah?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular inline\" data-testid=\"paragraph-test-id\">a November 2024 incident when Father Lee was stabbed<\/p>\n<p><\/a> during a Saturday evening service.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"landscape inline-media-wrapper\" data-testid=\"inline-media-test-id\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-start relative w-fit\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/e96a5a021d0fb41c78ec2ef9b3f3d4c8bfc251ff3465e158a9910d954c579ce7?w=480\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 720px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/e96a5a021d0fb41c78ec2ef9b3f3d4c8bfc251ff3465e158a9910d954c579ce7?w=720\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 721px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/e96a5a021d0fb41c78ec2ef9b3f3d4c8bfc251ff3465e158a9910d954c579ce7?w=900\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/e96a5a021d0fb41c78ec2ef9b3f3d4c8bfc251ff3465e158a9910d954c579ce7\" alt=\"\" class=\"aspect-landscape flex items-start shrink-0 object-cover landscape article-landscape mobile:w-auto tablet:w-auto\" data-testid=\"image-test-id\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"mobile:mx-16 tablet:mx-00 flex flex-col gap-08 py-16 desktop:pb-24\">\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-secondary\" data-testid=\"inline-media-caption-test-id\">Mr Nelson Quah was among those at the 6.30am service held at St Joseph\u2019s Church on Dec 22.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-placeholder\" data-testid=\"inline-media-credit-test-id\">ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">It was also business as usual for other churchgoers like Mr Paul Yap, who said he was unfazed and would continue going to church every day.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cThe authorities are doing a good job, and we have a good safety team here as well,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Mrs Wee, a 79-year-old retiree, was equally unworried, saying: \u201cWe have God with us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Madam Cecille Solana, 60, a delivery driver from the Philippines, had heard about the incident from social media and the news when she arrived in Singapore on Dec 21 to visit her daughter. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cMy daughter had warned me about the incident and told me to be careful, but I still (came here) this morning because of my faith,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cI am still very eager to complete my masses,\u201d added Madam Solana, who said she will continue going to St Joseph\u2019s Church every day until she finishes her Novena prayers \u2013 a nine-day devotion.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cI am thankful that nobody got hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">A 26-year-old church volunteer was arrested under anti-terrorism laws on Dec 21 after the suspicious item was found at the church earlier that day at about 7am. He was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/st-josephs-church-incident-man-to-be-charged-for-making-a-false-threat-of-terrorist-act?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular inline\" data-testid=\"paragraph-test-id\">charged on Dec 22<\/p>\n<p><\/a> with making a false terrorist threat.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The police said he is believed to have acted alone and there is currently no evidence to suggest it was a religiously motivated attack or an act of terror.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Man arrested under anti-terrorism laws after suspicious found item at St Joseph\u2019s Church\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_Ir2es_ivdE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">On Dec 21, churchgoers arriving for Sunday morning mass were evacuated, and the Singapore Armed Forces\u2019 Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosive Defence Group was activated.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The police said the item, which resembled an improvised explosive device, was assessed at about 10.40am to be three cardboard rolls and wires stuck together with black tape, with no explosive elements present.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">It was subsequently removed from the scene and police operations concluded at about 5pm. No injuries were reported.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The church was closed on Dec 21, and masses resumed on Dec 22.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">In a statement on Dec 22, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore called for everyone \u201cto remain vigilant but prayerful\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cVigilance is not about living in suspicion, but about caring for one another\u2019s safety so that all may worship in a secure and welcoming environment,\u201d it said. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">With the incident at St Joseph\u2019s Church happening just days before Christmas, the Archdiocese added: \u201cWhile we enhance security, our doors and our hearts must remain open. We must not let this incident diminish our spirit of hospitality or our joy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">It also expressed gratitude to the police, Singapore Armed Forces and Singapore Civil Defence Force for their \u201cswift, professional and decisive actions\u201d, adding: \u201cTheir commitment to ensuring the safety of our sacred spaces allows us to continue our worship with peace of mind.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) weighed in as well, saying it \u201cdoes not condone any act that causes alarm or disrupts the peace and sanctity of places of worship, which must always remain safe spaces for prayer and community life\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Along with standing in solidarity with the parishioners of the church and wider Catholic community, the IRO reaffirmed its commitment to promoting mutual respect, trust and harmony among Singapore\u2019s religious communities, and supporting efforts to keep society safe, cohesive and resilient.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"tags-test-id\">\n<p><button data-testid=\"button-test-id\" class=\"layer-one border-default border interactive-button text-primary disabled:layer-disabled hover:disabled:layer-disabled default\" aria-label=\"button for Churches\"><span class=\"font-button-md-semibold\">Churches<\/span><\/button><button data-testid=\"button-test-id\" class=\"layer-one border-default border interactive-button text-primary disabled:layer-disabled hover:disabled:layer-disabled default\" aria-label=\"button for Catholic Church\"><span class=\"font-button-md-semibold\">Catholic Church<\/span><\/button><button data-testid=\"button-test-id\" class=\"layer-one border-default border interactive-button text-primary disabled:layer-disabled hover:disabled:layer-disabled default\" aria-label=\"button for Singapore crime\"><span class=\"font-button-md-semibold\">Singapore crime<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/churchgoers-calm-as-mass-resumes-at-st-josephs-church-day-after-suspicious-item-was-found\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read Full Article At Source <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SINGAPORE \u2013 Regular churchgoers trickled in as usual for morning mass on Dec 22 at St Joseph\u2019s Church in Bukit Timah, a day after a&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22198,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2611],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22196","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buzz-headlines","wpcat-2611-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22196","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=22196"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22196\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/22198"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22196"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22196"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22196"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}