Sunday Mass Canceled due to Security Incident

Police Respond to Suspicious Object at St. Joseph’s Church

A typical Sunday morning took an unexpected turn as authorities arrived at St. Joseph’s Church, leading to the cancellation of the scheduled mass. When reporters arrived shortly after 10 a.m., police vehicles along with a Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) vehicle were noted within the church compound, indicating a serious situation.

Officers and church wardens were present at the entrance, directing parishioners and the public away from the area. Among those waiting at the church entrance were an elderly couple, who have been regular attendees. They shared that they were hoping to retrieve their vehicle, which they had parked inside the compound. Arriving before sunrise for the 7:30 a.m. service, they had been asked to evacuate prior to the mass commencing.

Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, the Member of Parliament for the Holland-Bukit Timah constituency—which encompasses the church—was seen entering the compound shortly after 10:47 a.m. Just minutes later, around 10:50 a.m., three officers were observed conducting a search along the grassy areas and a large drain adjacent to the church.

By 11 a.m., an explosive ordnance disposal vehicle, along with another vehicle, departed from the church, marking a significant development. Minister Balakrishnan exited approximately 20 minutes after that and opted not to address the media. Later, he expressed his gratitude on social media to the Singapore Police Force, the Singapore Armed Forces’ Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosives Defence Group, the SCDF, and the church’s volunteers for their “quick, calm, and resolute” handling of the situation.

Meanwhile, Mr. Oliver Esquierdo, a 54-year-old parishioner, and his family were also affected as they arrived for their usual 11:30 a.m. service. They were turned away due to the ongoing security concerns and noted that this was an unprecedented situation for them as regular attendees since 2009. Surprised but not scared, Mr. Esquierdo mentioned the warmth of the church congregation, which has always been welcoming.

This incident follows a troubling trend; just last November, a priest at the same church was stabbed during a mass, with a 37-year-old individual later charged in connection to that act of violence. In another case a month afterward, a man was discovered with a folding knife at the church, leading police to state he was assisting with ongoing investigations.