SINGAPORE — Retired Archbishop Nicholas Chia, the first Singapore-born priest to head the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore, died on Dec. 17. He was 86.
Cardinal William Goh of Singapore announced Chia’s death on Dec. 18 in a social media post, saying the prelate “passed away peacefully this evening at St Theresa’s Home.”
“Arrangements for the public to pay respects and for the funeral proceedings will be announced later,” Goh said in his post.
The Singapore Archdiocese published a statement on its website recalling Chia’s reputation as “a people’s priest.”
Chia “stressed the importance of spirituality for Catholics — both clergy and laity — to combat the challenges to moral values posed by secularism and materialism in society,” the statement read.
In 2011, he established the Professional Standards Office “to guide the professionalism of clergy and Church workers, including volunteers, especially those dealing with children.”
He “also worked tirelessly on promoting priestly vocations,” the archdiocese said.
Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, lawmakers, and citizens expressed condolences on the death.
“A devoted shepherd and steadfast pillar of the Catholic community, his unwavering faith, humility, and compassion enriched many lives. My deepest condolences to the Catholic community,” Wong said in his social media post.
Lawmaker Alex Yam said Chia “was a shepherd who served with unwavering faith, humility, and love for his people.”
Chia was born on April 8, 1938, and was ordained priest on Jan 26, 1964, in the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd.
Chia began his pastoral ministry as assistant parish priest at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, then served in the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour in 1966 and the Church of the Holy Cross in 1980, where he remained for 21 years.
He founded the Singapore Archdiocese’s Pastoral Institute and was its director from 1978 to 1990. He was later appointed as chancellor and procurator of the archdiocese.
Chia succeeded Malaysian-born Archbishop Gregory Yong as Archbishop of Singapore on Oct 7, 2001. Goh succeeded Chia on May 18, 2013.
Following his retirement, Chia lived in the Catholic Spirituality Centre in Singapore.
In February, he suffered a fall and, after a period of recovery, was transferred to Saint Theresa’s Home, where he continued until his death.
The funeral is scheduled for Dec. 21 at Mandai Crematorium, Singapore archdiocese said.
