Appointment Of Coadjutor Archbishop Of Singapore

[Filii_Dei]

This is actually slightly old news, but I’ve decided to share this fabulous news with everyone.

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father Benedict XVI on December 29, 2012, appointed Rev. William Goh, Rector of the Major Seminary of Singapore as Coadjutor Archbishop of Singapore.

Rev. William Goh was born on June 25, 1957 in Singapore. He attended the Montfort Secondary School, where he obtained his high school diploma. He completed his studies in philosophy at the major Seminary in Penang (College General), in Malaysia, and theology at the major Seminary of Singapore.

He was ordained a priest on May 1, 1985, for the Archdiocese of Singapore. He has held the following positions:
1985-1990: Assistant priest at the Holy Cross in Singapore;
1990-1992: Studies for the Licentiate in Theology at the Gregorian University in Rome;
1992-1993: Pastor of St. Anne, Singapore;
1992 -2005: Professor and Formator at the major Seminary of Singapore;
since 2005: Rector of the Major Seminary of Singapore.

Currently he also holds the following positions: Member of the Senate of priests, Member of the Board of Consultants, Member of the Diocesan Council for the vocational Promotion and spiritual Director of the Catholic Center of spirituality of the archdiocese.

The Archdiocese of Singapore (1972), has an area of 699 square kilometers and a population of 5,000,000 inhabitants, of whom 190,000 are Catholics. There are 31 parishes, 131 priests (71 diocesan and 60 religious), 92 religious brothers, 60 nuns and seven major seminarians. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 02/01/2013)

Sources:
news.va/en/news/asiasingapore-appointment-of-coadjutor-archbishop
fides.org/aree/news/newsdet.php?idnews=32951&lan=eng
catholicnews.sg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8355:asiasingapore-appointment-of-coadjutor-archbishop-of-singapore&catid=328:episcopal-ordination&Itemid=147

This is a landmark occasion for Singapore. As Coadjutor Archbishop, Msgr Goh will have automatic right of succession to the seat of Archbishop when our current Archbishop Nicholas Chia retires this year. He will be the fourth Archbishop of Singapore, and the second to be born in Singapore.

In local circles, Msgr Goh is known for his orthodoxy and animated homilies on the dangers of secularism and moral relativism. From first-hand knowledge, there has already been much (enthusiastic) whispering about a revival of orthodoxy and Catholic values. Parishes are taking the initiative to introduce more traditional practises into parish life, and he hasn’t even assumed office yet!

There will be more updates on the way.

 

[Dale_M]

Thank you for posting this news. I enjoy hearing about what is happening around the world. (Too often discussions here are US-focused)

The current bishop, Archbishop Chia, will turn 75 in two months. So Msgr Goh will likely be assuming sole responsibility for the archdiocese soon.

Aside from a couple years of study in Rome, Msgr Goh has spent his entire life in Singapore. No doubt he is very familiar with the changes which the Church has experienced there, and what its needs are/

Congratulations to everyone there!

 

[Lochias]

Great news!

 

[Dale_M]

Msgr Goh was instrumental in founding the Catholic Spirituality Centre in Singapore. Here is a bit about the CSC, from an interview with Msgr Goh in 2010. It may offer some insight into his perspective.

The purpose of the CSC to help re-ignite the people’s faith through a deep personal encounter with God.

CatholicNews: Why is it helpful to attend CSC programmes?

Father Goh: The programmes fill a gap in parishes where opportunities for ongoing formation are limited or unavailable. Currently, catechumens have few options for formation after baptism. Available courses tend to be intellectual, rather than helpful in living out their faith in a secular world.

Consequently, neophytes’ faith is not sustained despite them joining ministries. CSC aims to help neophytes grow in their spiritual life through talks and programmes on practical day-to-day living of their faith, in prayer and action.

CSC programmes are also designed to re-evangelise Catholics which include those active in parish ministries but with little or no faith and spiritual formation. CSC ultimately serves the diocese’s interests by being the centre of spirituality for Catholics to increase in their love of God and serve more wholeheartedly, be it in the local parish or at diocesan level.

CatholicNews: How do you decide on the topics?

Father Goh: The Friday Growth and Fourth Saturday sessions aim to strengthen the faith of the community, which then translates into an improvement of their prayer life, and a life of Christian charity. The talks range from Church doctrines, morality and spirituality, but with a pastoral and spiritual slant. The Fourth Saturday services are always about the healing touch of God in our lives.

Most of my talks are inspired by interactions I have with people I personally minister to, and from the requests and feedback of the community. Hence, the talks respond to their thirst for God and help them resolve faith issues and personal life struggles.

CatholicNews: How do you manage all these ongoing sessions?

Father Goh: My life is given to the service of my sheep. Seeing their woundedness, their spiritual hunger, their despair and desperation for meaning and focus in life, pushes me to carry on and give all that I can for them. I have also been edified by the many testimonies of lives that have been radically transformed through our intervention.

I have a very supportive team at CSC that constantly lifts me up in prayer, which is essential. I also spend time praying daily for strength and wisdom to lead the people that God has brought to me.

catholicnews.sg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4334&Itemid=79

 

[Dale_M]

Msgr Goh was instrumental in founding the Catholic Spirituality Centre in Singapore. Here is a bit about the CSC, from an interview with Msgr Goh in 2010. It may offer some insight into his perspective.

The purpose of the CSC to help re-ignite the people’s faith through a deep personal encounter with God.

catholicnews.sg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4334&Itemid=79

 

[Filii_Dei]

Here are a few articles about the preparations in the run-up to the Ordination. Our local newspaper is buzzing with activity and everybody’s a busy bee.

He Wants To 'Reach Out To The People’

Msgr William Goh, who has been appointed coadjutor archbishop, shares his dreams

“I feel humbled … to assume this office,” said Msgr William Goh after it was announced that Pope Benedict XVI had appointed him Coadjutor Archbishop of Singapore…

[read more]

Coadjutor Archbishop-Elect’s Coat Of Arms

http://catholicnews.sg/images/stories/2013/Episcopal/ArchWGCoatofarmsfinal.jpg

Msgr William Goh has been appointed by the Holy See as Coadjutor Archbishop of Singapore with the right to succession. The Holy See is also assigning Msgr Goh a titular see which is no longer inhabited.

The following is an explanation of the symbols on the Coadjutor Archbishop-elect’s coat of arms…

[read more]

Nuns, Lay People Work On Ordination Vestments

FMM team making stoles, vestments and mitres for Msgr William Goh’s episcopal ordination

A team of nuns and lay people are now busy making stoles, vestments and mitres for Coadjutor Archbishop-elect William Goh’s episcopal ordination on Feb 22.

“We will be making 200 stoles [for priests and bishops], 20 vestments [for bishops] and four mitres [for the consecrating bishops and the coadjutor archbishop], all in matching design for this important occasion…

[read more]

 

[Dale_M]

Here are a few articles about the preparations in the run-up to the Ordination. Our local newspaper is buzzing with activity and everybody’s a busy bee.

I’ll bet!

I saw a couple things in the links you provided which reinforce my previous post:

From the first link:

His major area of concern is the new evangelisation, which is “what I think the Church really needs now”.

“We really need to re-evangelise Catholics,” he stressed, adding that many are lukewarm in their faith.

From the second link, which explains the coat of arms he will have as bishop

The Fleur-de-lys, which is typically associated with France, signifies the founding of the Catholic Church in Singapore by the French missionaries. The Double Sail Ship represents mission and the co-responsibility of the clergy (black) and the laity (gold) in moving the Church forward in the New Evangelisation. This commemorates the timely significance of the episcopal appointment during the Year of Faith.

I like this new bishop’s enthusiasm for evangelizing Catholics. He seems to be place emphasis on energizing, or re-energizing, the faith of ordinary believers. I think good things are in the future for Singapore!

 

[Filii_Dei]

I like this new bishop’s enthusiasm for evangelizing Catholics. He seems to be place emphasis on energizing, or re-energizing, the faith of ordinary believers. I think good things are in the future for Singapore!

That is an excellent observation! He’s particularly known for his charisma, which is very energising for the tired crowds in the parishes where he happens to celebrate Mass. Indeed, he has been talking quite a lot about catechising our own Catholics and revitalising the faith, and I am inclined to agree with him. We need to evangelise to ourselves before we can evangelise to others. If we do not lay strong foundations, we cannot build great cathedrals.

In addition, he runs a Friday Growth session at the CSC every week. It is very well-attended, and I know several people who do so. He also writes a daily scriptural reflection, which I have found to be useful as a deep and introspective reflection on the daily Mass readings. To my knowledge, it is the only Catholic resource for daily reflections from within Singapore so far, although those from other countries are good too!

One that I’ve found particularly inspiring was his reflection for the Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time, where he touches on the Holy Magisterium of the Church, the re-evangelisation of Catholics, and cautions against an excessively Charismatic focus to spirituality.