Latest News

‘I’m fine, perfect’: Priest continues normal duties after being punched by man at Upper Thomson church

Priest at Upper Thomson church was shocked to be punched, has ‘a bit of a headache’

Father Cary Chan, who was punched at the Church of the Holy Spirit along Upper Thomson Road, has said he’s “fine” after the incident.

In fact, he resumed his normal duties hours later, he told 8world News in an interview posted on Facebook.

Source: 8world News on Facebook

Upper Thomson church priest didn’t expect to be hit

Asked about the alleged assault on Sunday (9 Feb) morning, Father Chan said he was “a bit shocked” as he didn’t expect to be hit.

When reporters enquired whether he was “feeling good”, he agreed, though he had “a bit of a headache”.

He was later observed to be none the worse for wear as he continued his duties, with the church’s activities unaffected.

Source: 8world News on Facebook

Priest led Mass after the incident

After the incident, which took place after the 9.30am Mass, he even led the next Mass at 11.30am, Channel NewsAsia (CNA) reported.

Parishioners said he didn’t appear to be affected, with a 17-year-old altar server describing him as “no different”.

Source: Church of the Holy Spirit, Singapore on Facebook

Father Chan, however, told CNA that he felt his head “throbbing” during the Mass, but he didn’t want his parishioners to know.

Alleged attacker has special needs

As for the 22-year-old alleged attacker, he is a regular churchgoer who has special needs and is partially blind.

The priest said he knows the man very well and believes he didn’t recognise him when he lashed out.

 

The man began shouting loudly after the 9.30am Mass as he had become agitated by his backpack being removed from the church and demanded it back, Father Chan.

This prompted the priest to lead him out to a lobby outside the hall.

This was where he punched the priest after getting his bag back, knocking his glasses off.

Alleged attacker is ‘harmless’, says churchgoer

The man was restrained and the police called.

A 60-year-old churchgoer named only as Mr Lee, who arrived at the church at about 11.20am, saw the man being led away by at least five police officers. He was not handcuffed.

The parishioner confirmed that the man has special needs.

While he “tends to be in his own world”, he is “harmless”, Mr Lee said.

The Police said it had arrested the man for an offence of public nuisance and will be referring him to the Institute of Mental Health for further assessment.

Also read: Man attacks priest after service at Church of the Holy Spirit in Upper Thomson, will be referred to IMH

Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.

Featured image adapted from Church of the Holy Spirit and Google Maps.

Jeremy Lee

Analog person making do with a digital world.

Recent Posts

Navy squad called to defuse bomb at UK beach, only to find it’s upturned old saucepan

While it's a comical misunderstanding, the person did the right thing by calling authorities.

15 Mar 2025, 10:03 am

S’porean crashes car into JB restaurant, jailed 2 days & fined for drink driving

The 46-year-old private-hire driver was found to have a blood alcohol level of 165 mg/100…

15 Mar 2025, 2:45 am

Man climbs over platform screen doors at Boon Lay MRT to retrieve phone, detained by SMRT staff

A commuter activated the Emergency Stop Plunger, stopping the incoming train in time.

15 Mar 2025, 12:43 am

Josephine Teo says 2 ‘ambush’ incidents also occurred at Jalan Besar MPS, she’s ‘saddened’ by episodes

Her volunteers were perturbed and saddened by such incidents, she said.

14 Mar 2025, 11:34 pm

Elderly man dies after falling in bus at Ang Mo Kio, family appeals for witnesses

The elderly man had stood up from his seat to alight when he lost his…

14 Mar 2025, 10:51 pm

Mediums like TikTok, Instagram & podcasts are popular campaigning grounds for S’pore politicians to reach younger people

Keep a lookout for their content on social media platforms as politicians gear up for…

14 Mar 2025, 6:13 pm