Archbishop of Singapore: Family Must Be Central to Overcome Secularization

Archbishop William Goh Also Advocates Strengthening the Clergy, Forming the Laity

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The centrality of the family is vital if secularization is to be overcome, the Archbishop of Singapore has said.

“To overcome the challenge of secularization in Singapore that society is facing, and that touches believers of all religions, we have decided to restore the centrality of the family”, Archbishop William Goh has said in an interview with Fides Agency.

Speaking on the eve of the Oct. 5-19 Synod on the Family at the Vatican, he said: “Singapore is a post-modern, industrialized country, where secularization is strongly felt. It must be said, however, that we are in an Asian country, and Asians are spiritual people. Today, our priority is to renew faith, building a Church founded on the Gospel and which is missionary”.

To give new impetus to evangelization, he said, “the path is to strengthen the clergy and focus and aim at the formation of the laity.

“We have set up a special Commission because we want the laity to be involved and to be protagonists in the pastoral life. In this way the Church is more open to dialogue with society”.

The archbishop added: “In this process, it is essential to give centrality to the family. In the diocese there are different realities of movements and associations dedicated to family love: we have merged them into a single coordination in order to harmonize the pastoral activity and evangelization. The journey of faith in the family is decisive for the future of the Church”.

Archbishop Goh concluded: “Particular attention should be given to young people, especially in schools, campus, because from there the path to form a good leadership of the Church of tomorrow, with people of faith and action begins”. 

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Fides News Agency

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