Churchgoers told The Straits Times on Nov 10 they were in shock over the attack at their church.

Rosalin Kolandasamy, 69, said she learned about the stabbing minutes after it happened from a friend who attended the Nov. 9 service.

The retiree, who attended St Joseph’s Church for three decades, said Rev. Lee was always willing to bring parishioners together.

For example, the priest rented a bus for about 20 passengers from the church in Bukit Timah to a walking event in Bishan recently organized by Caritas Singapore, the social service arm of the Catholic Church.

Ms. Rosalin said she was unaware of any other church that did this. “He said he wanted everyone to go to this church as a family,” he added, wishing Pastor Lee a speedy recovery.

Jose Nidhin, a 40-year-old software engineer, said his family usually attends services on Saturday evenings, but did not do so on Nov. 9 because they were at church in the morning for his son’s first reconciliation, also known as confession.

“Since it was a children’s mass, my son would be at the front,” Mr Nidhin said. “It’s pretty bad to do something like that in front of kids.”

The police added that the suspect will appear in court on November 11 on the charge of deliberately causing serious injury with a dangerous weapon.

In case of conviction of the crime, in accordance with Article 326 of the Criminal Code No. 1871, life imprisonment or imprisonment for a period that may extend to 15 years is provided. The offender will also be liable to cane and/or fine.