Goh, the pastor from Singapore who combines doctrine and pastoral tenderness
The first cardinal from the bustling Southeast Asian city-state, he leads a lively and missionary Church with humility, clarity and a heart open to dialogue in an increasingly secularised world. At the synod, he highlighted the spiritual weariness that often afflicts societies that are only apparently successful.
Singapore (AsiaNews) – In the bustling, modern metropolis of Singapore, where gleaming skyscrapers rise above vibrant neighbourhoods, the Catholic Church has found a steady and compassionate leader in Cardinal William Goh. As the first-ever cardinal from the island nation, he stands as a powerful symbol of faith’s enduring relevance in an increasingly secular world.
With some 395,000 Catholics, the Catholic Church in Singapore is one of the most dynamic and vital in Southeast Asia where Cardinal William Goh holds court as its shepherd.
Born on 25 June 1957, William Goh Seng Chye grew up in a modest Catholic family. He discerned his vocation early and pursued his education at the College General in Penang and the St Francis Xavier Major Seminary in Singapore. He was ordained a priest on 1 May 1985, by Archbishop Gregory Yong.
In his early pastoral work, he served faithfully in parishes, where his sincerity and pastoral care made a deep impression on those he served.
Keen to deepen his understanding of theology, he later studied in Rome, where he earned a Licentiate in Dogmatic Theology at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum).
That Roman sojourn would significantly shape his theological insight and pastoral approach. On his return, he served as a seminary lecturer, spiritual director, and eventually rector. He also became vicar general of the archdiocese, known for his clear preaching and thoughtful leadership.
His appointment as Archbishop of Singapore came on 29 May 2013, when Pope Francis chose him to succeed Archbishop Nicholas Chia. Taking the motto “Ut Vivant” — “That they may live” — from the Gospel of John, he signalled his pastoral priority: to build a Church fully alive in Christ.
As Archbishop, he called Catholics not only to personal holiness but to evangelise courageously in society, workplaces, and families. On 27 August 2022, he was elevated to the College of Cardinals, a historic moment for the Singapore Church and for Asia. With this appointment, the pope affirmed not only his leadership but also the growing importance of Asia in the life of the universal Church.
At the 2023 Synod on Synodality in Rome, Cardinal Goh became a strong voice for the Church in Asia. He urged the global Church to renew itself through deeper listening, discernment, and lay involvement, especially in urbanised settings like Singapore, where priests often serve in highly demanding environments.
Drawing from his own context, he highlighted the spiritual fatigue that often afflicts materially successful societies. He spoke of a need to minister not just to minds, but to hearts — to create spaces where mercy and truth meet, and where people feel welcomed and understood. His words reflected the balance he has long modelled: doctrinal faithfulness paired with pastoral tenderness.
In 2021, he led the Church in Singapore through a significant milestone – the bicentenary celebration of the Catholic faith’s presence in the country. Catholic200SG, as it was known, marked 200 years since the arrival of Catholic missionaries in 1821. But Cardinal Goh was clear that it should not be merely a nostalgic commemoration. Instead, he cast the celebration as a moment of spiritual renewal and missionary recommitment.
Through rallies, online novenas, parish events, and exhibitions, the Catholic community came alive with a renewed sense of purpose. He called the faithful to be missionary disciples, not just Sunday Catholics. “The time has come,” he declared at the closing Mass, “for Singapore Catholics to rise, go forth, and witness boldly.”
One of the defining hallmarks of Cardinal Goh’s episcopate has been his commitment to interfaith harmony. In Singapore, where various religions coexist within a delicate social fabric, he has emerged as a trusted and respectful voice for the Catholic Church. He is an active member of the Inter-Religious Organisation of Singapore and has cultivated warm relationships with leaders of other faiths – Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, and Taoists alike.
He believes that religious dialogue must be rooted in both authenticity and humility. He frequently speaks on the sacredness of the family, the importance of moral preparation, and the shared responsibility of all religions to build a compassionate and just society. His approach – firm in principle, yet never antagonistic – has earned him deep respect both within and beyond the Church.
Under his leadership, the Archdiocese of Singapore has quietly but steadily advanced its mission.
A renewed pastoral vision is being implemented, with strong focus on youth training, outreach to disengaged Catholics, digital evangelisation, and clergy development. Cardinal Goh is known among his clergy as a fatherly figure – approachable, prayerful, and deeply grounded. His homilies often challenge believers to embrace the Gospel fully, resisting both mediocrity and spiritual complacency. He emphasises the need for authenticity, reminding Catholics that evangelisation begins not with words, but with lives that radiate Christ.
Even as a cardinal serving the universal Church, William Goh remains close to his flock. He lives simply, avoids public fanfare, and walks with the people – listening more than speaking, encouraging more than commanding. In an age of noise and confusion, he offers something quietly powerful: a witness of integrity, humility, and hope.
As the Church faces new questions – about secularism, AI, bioethics, and declining faith – Cardinal Goh’s leadership is proving to be both timely and timeless. His deep prayer life, intellectual clarity, and pastoral wisdom make him one of the most respected Church leaders in Asia today.
In him, Singapore has not only gained a cardinal but a shepherd who bridges the ancient faith with the urgent needs of our age – a pastor who embodies the words of his motto: “That they may live.”
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30/05/2022 16:38
