37-Year-Old Man Charged in Singapore Church Stabbing During Children's Mass

A stabbing incident during mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Singapore left the congregation and religious communities across the country shocked and in solidarity against violence. The accused, 37-year-old Basnayake Keith Spencer, a Singaporean, was charged on Monday, November 11, with voluntarily causing grievous hurt by a dangerous weapon to Father Christopher Lee Kwong Heng, the church’s parish priest. Spencer allegedly wielded a foldable knife during the attack, which took place during the monthly children’s mass, a service in which children perform roles typically held by adults, such as singing in the choir.

Father Lee was hospitalized, underwent surgery to close his wounds, and is reportedly in stable condition and recovering. Members of the congregation, including the Archdiocesan Emergency Response team, helped restrain Spencer immediately after the alleged attack. Police discovered four additional weapons on him, including a penknife and a mallet, suggesting he was prepared for harm. Spencer is reportedly not a regular attendee of the church.

Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam confirmed that Spencer is of Sinhalese descent, holds Singaporean citizenship, and had previously declared himself Christian to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority. Preliminary police investigations indicate that Spencer acted alone, with no links to terrorism or other organized threats, providing some reassurance to the public. However, the motive behind the attack remains under investigation.

If convicted of voluntarily causing grievous hurt by a dangerous weapon, Spencer could face life imprisonment. Alternatively, the charge carries a potential penalty of up to 15 years in prison, caning, and a fine.

The incident, which disrupted a children’s mass, has reverberated across Singapore, drawing expressions of sympathy and support from the religious community. Minister Shanmugam condemned the act and expressed solidarity with the church and congregation members, affirming that authorities are treating the case with utmost seriousness. The police have assured continued diligence in protecting places of worship and investigating this rare act of violence.

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