William Goh
Stored: William Goh
| His Eminence William Goh | |
| Bishop of Archdiocese of Singapore | |
| Home diocese: | Archdiocese of Singapore |
| Other diocese 1: | |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 1 May 1985 by Archbishop Gregory Yong |
| Consecration: | 22 February 2013 by Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 27 August 2022 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | William Goh Seng Chye 25 June 1957 Singapore |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Singapore |
| Education: | Pontifical Gregorian University |
| Motto: | "Ut Vivant" (That They May Live) |
| Role: | Diocesan |
| Theology: | Conservative |
| Region: | Asia |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
William Goh Seng Chye, born on 25 June 1957, is a Singaporean prelate of the Catholic Church, serving as the Archbishop of Singapore since 2013 and elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2022.[1] Born in Singapore, he was ordained a priest in 1985 for the Archdiocese of Singapore, served as coadjutor archbishop from 2012 to 2013, and became the second Singapore-born archbishop.[2] Known for his conservative theology, Goh emphasizes a personal encounter with Jesus, liturgical reverence, and moral absolutism, while addressing secularism’s challenges in Singapore’s multireligious society.[3] As the first Singaporean cardinal, his elevation highlights the Church’s growing focus on Asia, with his pastoral priorities including faith formation, aid to the poor, climate action, and interreligious dialogue.[4]
Goh’s ministry has focused on youth engagement, Church unity, and evangelization, notably restructuring the archdiocese for efficiency and fostering dialogue with Singapore’s government and interfaith communities.[5] His conservative stance, seen in his clarification of *Fiducia Supplicans* to exclude blessings of same-sex unions and his critique of synodality’s pressures, contrasts with his alignment with Pope Francis’ social priorities.[3] As a member of the Presidential Council for Religious Harmony since 2014 and the Dicastery for Bishops since 2022, Goh balances local and global roles.[2] Eligible for the 2025 papal conclave, he has been noted as a potential Asian contender, though he has not addressed such speculation.[3][6] Goh continues to lead Singapore’s Catholics, calling for prayers for the conclave and supporting priests like Christopher Lee after a 2024 stabbing incident.[7]
Biography
Birth and early life
William Goh Seng Chye was born on 25 June 1957 in Singapore to a Catholic family, though only his mother was devout.[1] He attended Montfort Junior School and Montfort Secondary School in Hougang, followed by Catholic Junior College, where he earned an A-Level certificate.[2] His early attraction to faith and devotional practices led him to the priesthood.[3]
Growing up in Singapore’s multireligious society, Goh’s experiences shaped his commitment to interfaith dialogue and moral clarity, later evident in his critiques of secularism.[5] His schooling at Montfort, rooted in Catholic tradition, reinforced his vocational calling.[4]
Education
Goh studied philosophy at the Major Seminary (College General) in Penang, Malaysia, and theology at St. Francis Xavier Major Seminary in Singapore, graduating in the first cohort from the new Punggol campus.[2] He earned a Bachelor of Theology from the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome in 1985 and a licentiate in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in 1992.[5]
His academic roles included lecturing in systematic theology at St. Francis Xavier Major Seminary, where he served as dean of studies, procurator, and rector.[4] Goh’s education equipped him to address Singapore’s secular and pluralistic challenges.[3]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Singapore on 1 May 1985 by Archbishop Gregory Yong at the Church of the Holy Family, Goh served as assistant priest at the Church of the Holy Cross (1985–1989) and parish priest of St. Anne’s Church (1992–1993).[1] He was a resident formator, initiation year director, and rector at St. Francis Xavier Major Seminary (1992–2012).[2]
Goh was spiritual director for the Archdiocesan Catholic Spirituality Centre, Amplify Youth Ministry, Jesus Youth Singapore, and the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Experience.[5] In 1995, he joined the Theological Advisory Commission of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences.[4] His priesthood focused on youth, formation, and evangelization.[8]
Bishop
Appointed coadjutor archbishop of Singapore on 29 December 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI, Goh was consecrated on 22 February 2013 by Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, with Archbishop Nicholas Chia and Archbishop Murphy Pakiam as co-consecrators.[1] The ceremony, attended by President Tony Tan Keng Yam, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, and 14,000 Catholics, underscored his civic ties.[5] He succeeded as Archbishop of Singapore on 18 May 2013.[2]
Elevated to cardinal-priest of Santa Maria Regina Pacis on 27 August 2022, Goh became Singapore’s first cardinal.[4] His conservative theology, emphasizing liturgical depth and moral absolutism, contrasts with his support for Pope Francis’ social initiatives, like climate action.[3] Appointed to the Dicastery for Bishops in 2022, he balances local and Vatican roles.[2]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archdiocese of Singapore | Coadjutor Archbishop | 29 December 2012 | 18 May 2013 | Prepared for archdiocesan leadership |
| Archdiocese of Singapore | Metropolitan Archbishop | 18 May 2013 | Present | First Singaporean cardinal in 2022 |
Significant events
- Ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Singapore in 1985 by Archbishop Gregory Yong.[1]
- Appointed to the Theological Advisory Commission of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences in 1995.[4]
- Named coadjutor archbishop of Singapore in 2012.[1]
- Consecrated bishop in 2013 by Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli.[1]
- Succeeded as Archbishop of Singapore in 2013.[2]
- Appointed to the Presidential Council for Religious Harmony in 2014.[5]
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2022, first Singaporean cardinal.[4]
- Appointed to the Dicastery for Bishops in 2022.[2]
- Prepared for Pope Francis’ 2024 Singapore visit.[9]
- Responded to 2024 stabbing of priest Christopher Lee, calling for prayers.[7]
- Called for prayers for the 2025 papal conclave.[7]
Books
Written about the bishop
- "Cardinal William Goh". 8 July 2024. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/william-goh.
- "Cardinal of Singapore Archdiocese William Seng Chye Goh". https://www.ucanews.com/directory/cardinals/cardinal-william-goh/1255.
- "Cardinal Goh Calls for Prayers for Conclave". 30 April 2025. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/258322/cardinal-william-goh.
Written by the bishop
No books or major publications by Cardinal William Goh have been identified in available sources, though he has contributed pastoral letters and homilies on evangelization and synodality.[4]
External links
- William Cardinal Goh Seng Chye at Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- Cardinal William Goh at Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore
- Cardinal William Goh Seng Chye at Vatican Press
- Cardinal Goh on Pope Francis’ Singapore Visit at Vatican News
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Cheney, David M.. "William Cardinal Goh Seng Chye". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bgohsc.html.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 "Cardinal William Goh Seng Chye". 27 August 2022. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_goh.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "Cardinal William Goh". 8 July 2024. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/william-goh.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 "Cardinal William Goh". 8 September 2022. https://www.catholic.sg/cardinal-william-goh/.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 "William Goh". 30 April 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Goh.
- ↑ Piqué, Elisabetta (25 April 2025). "Quiénes son los cardenales que participarán del cónclave". https://www.lanacion.com.ar/el-mundo/quienes-son-los-cardenales-que-participaran-del-conclave-nid25042025/.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Cardinal Goh Calls for Prayers for Conclave". 30 April 2025. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/258322/cardinal-william-goh.
- ↑ "Cardinal of Singapore Archdiocese William Seng Chye Goh". https://www.ucanews.com/directory/cardinals/cardinal-william-goh/1255.
- ↑ "Cardinal Goh on Pope Francis’ Singapore Visit". 13 September 2024. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2024-09/cardinal-goh-pope-francis-singapore-visit.html.