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'Dismayed, shocked, ashamed': Archbishop apologises after member of Catholic order jailed for sex acts on teen boys

SINGAPORE — The Archbishop of the Catholic Church in Singapore issued an apology on Thursday (May 5) after a notable member of a Catholic order was earlier in the day jailed for committing sexual acts on two teenage boys.

Archbishop William Goh (pictured) said that the Professional Standards Office set up by the Roman Catholic Church in Singapore regularly reviews church protocols to provide a safe environment to protect the vulnerable.
Archbishop William Goh (pictured) said that the Professional Standards Office set up by the Roman Catholic Church in Singapore regularly reviews church protocols to provide a safe environment to protect the vulnerable.
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SINGAPORE — The Archbishop of the Catholic Church in Singapore issued an apology on Thursday (May 5) after a notable member of a Catholic order was earlier in the day jailed for committing sexual acts on two teenage boys.

In a letter published on the Catholic Church's website after the man's sentencing, Reverend Father William Goh apologised on behalf of the Church and asked for justice to be "rendered accordingly".

“Like many of you, I am dismayed, shocked and ashamed,” he said.

"As archbishop and leader of the Catholic community in Singapore, I humbly apologise on behalf of the Church. My heartfelt sympathy to those who have suffered on account of this crime. I pray that they will find healing and closure, and we journey with them as a Church through this pain."

Archbishop Goh added that the case has an impact on the work of others in his faith, and gave assurances that the archdiocese takes very seriously the provision of a safe environment especially where children and young persons are present.

"The cold reality of having an incident like this on our shores is sobering," he said.

"Many good church leaders have sacrificed much to remain faithful to the gospel and have worked hard to instil the values of our Catholic faith in the young. A cloud of suspicion now hangs over those who have given themselves to live a life of service."

On Thursday, the member of the Catholic order — a Singaporean in his mid-60s — was jailed for five years after engaging in sexual acts with two teenage boys sometime between 2005 and 2007.

The man committed his crime after forging close relationships with the two victims, even going out for meals with the family of one of them.

In his remarks during sentencing, the judge described the case as an “egregious” abuse of trust and authority.

Archbishop Goh said in his statement that the incident has served as a timely reminder for Catholics to "renew our faith, find healing in forgiveness and in God’s mercy, and seek reconciliation with our wounded brothers and sisters by taking the call to conversion of life seriously".

He pointed to its Professional Standards Office, which was established in 2011, that regularly reviews church protocols to provide a safe environment to protect the vulnerable.

The office comprises senior counsels of law, former district judges, senior lawyers, legally trained persons, psychologists and people in senior management, he wrote.

Since 2018, the Professional Standards Office has been headed by a non-cleric to “further enhance” its impartiality.

"Let this incident be a wake-up call for us all to take our spiritual life seriously and be awakened from a complacent faith," the archbishop said.

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Catholic Church archbishop apology sexual assault

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