{{Use British English|date=July 2023}} {{Short description|Singaporean cardinal (born 1957)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}} {{Infobox Christian leader | type = Cardinal | honorific-prefix = [[His Eminence]] | name = William Goh Seng Chye | honorific-suffix = | title = [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|Cardinal]], [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore|Archbishop of Singapore]] <br /> Vice President of the [[Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]] | image = Cardinal William Goh, 2025 (2).jpg | caption = Goh in 2025 | province = | archdiocese = Singapore | diocese = | see = Singapore | term = 18 May 2013 | ended = | predecessor = [[Nicholas Chia|Nicholas Chia Yeck Joo]] | successor = | ordination = 1 May 1985 | ordained_by = [[Gregory Yong|Gregory Yong Sooi Ngean]] | consecration = 22 February 2013 | consecrated_by = [[Leopoldo Girelli]], [[Nicholas Chia]], [[Murphy Pakiam]] | cardinal = 27 August 2022 | created_cardinal_by = [[Pope Francis]] | rank = [[Cardinal priest]] | other_post = {{plainlist| * Cardinal priest of [[Santa Maria "Regina Pacis" in Ostia mare]] (2022–present), * Spiritual Director of Singapore Archdiocesan Charismatic Renewal Experience (2005–present) }} | birth_name = William Goh Seng Chye | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1957|6|25|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Colony of Singapore]] | death_date = | death_place = | buried = | nationality = [[Singaporean citizenship]] | religion = [[Roman Catholic]] | residence = [[Cathedral of the Good Shepherd]] | parents = | spouse = | children = | occupation = | profession = | previous_post = {{plainlist| * Coadjutor Archbishop of Singapore (2012–2013) * Rector of St Francis Xavier Major Seminary (2005–2013) }} | education = [[Montfort Secondary School]] | alma_mater = [[College General]]<br />[[Pontifical Urbaniana University]]<br />[[Pontifical Gregorian University]] | motto = {{langnf|la|Ut vivant|That they may live|break=yes}}<br />—[[Gospel of John|John]] 10:10-11<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.catholicnews.sg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8343:coadjutor-archbishop-elects-coat-of-arms&catid=328:episcopal-ordination&Itemid=147 |title=Archbishop-Elect's Coat Of Arms |work=[[Catholic News Service]] |access-date=16 March 2013 }}</ref> | signature = | module = {{Infobox cardinalstyles |child=yes |name= William Goh Seng Chye | dipstyle= [[His Eminence]] | offstyle=[[His Eminence|Your Eminence]] | relstyle=[[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|Cardinal]] | image = Coat of arms of William Goh Seng Chye (cardinal).svg | image_size = 100px }} }}
'''William Goh Seng Chye'''{{efn|{{zh|s=吴成才|p=Wú Chéngcái}}}} (born 25 June 1957) is a Singaporean prelate of the [[Catholic Church]] who has been serving as the fourth [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore|Archbishop of Singapore]] since 2013. He was made a [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|cardinal]] by [[Pope Francis]] on 27 August 2022.
== Early life and education == Born in Singapore, Goh attended [[Montfort Junior School]] and [[Montfort Secondary School]] in [[Hougang]], where he lived. He furthered his studies in philosophy at the Major Seminary ([[College General]]) and did his theological studies at the Major Seminary in Singapore. Goh is from the first cohort of seminarians to graduate from the newly built St Francis Xavier Major Seminary in [[Punggol]].
== Career ==
=== Priesthood === After his graduation, he was posted to the [[Church of the Holy Cross, Singapore|Church of the Holy Cross]] where he served as an assistant priest to [[Nicholas Chia]]. In 1985, he received a Bachelor of Theology from the [[Pontifical Urbaniana University]] in Rome.<ref name="hspo">{{cite press release|title = Rinunce e Nomine, 29.12.2012 |url= https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2012/12/29/0757/01732.html | publisher= [[Holy See Press Office]] | language=it |date=29 December 2012 |access-date=29 August 2022}}</ref> He was ordained a priest on 1 May 1985 by [[Gregory Yong]], Archbishop of Singapore, at the [[Church of the Holy Family, Singapore|Church of the Holy Family]]. Goh continued his studies in Rome, receiving a licentiate in dogmatic theology from the [[Pontifical Gregorian University]].
Returning to Singapore, he was posted as a Resident Formator and Initiation Year Director at the Major Seminary and lecturer in systematic theology. In 1992, he was appointed the parish priest of St Anne's Church as well. In 1995, Goh became a member of the Theological Advisory Commission of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences. He became Dean of Studies at the major seminary, then procurator, and finally rector of Major Seminary, where he remained. Goh was the spiritual director of the Archdiocesan Catholic Spirituality Centre, Amplify Youth Ministry, Jesus Youth Singapore, and the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Experience.<ref name="hspo" />
=== Coadjutor archbishop ===
On 29 December 2012, [[Pope Benedict XVI]] appointed Goh [[Coadjutor bishop|coadjutor archbishop]] of Singapore.<ref name="hspo" /> He received his episcopal consecration on 22 February 2013 from the [[Apostolic Nunciature to Singapore|Apostolic Nuncio to the Republic of Singapore]] [[Leopoldo Girelli]] and co-consecrators [[Nicholas Chia]] and [[Murphy Pakiam]]. His consecration was attended by the [[President of Singapore]], [[Tony Tan Keng Yam]], Deputy Prime Minister [[Teo Chee Hean]], [[Chief Justice of Singapore]] [[Sundaresh Menon]], state dignitaries, twenty bishops, more than 170 priests and an estimated 14,000 Roman Catholics, together with representatives of the major religions in Singapore. In a letter to Goh, [[Prime Minister of Singapore|Prime Minister]] [[Lee Hsien Loong]] said that the [[Singaporean Government]] has always enjoyed a "close and cooperative relations" with the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore and hoped to continue and strengthen the good relations with the future archbishop.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/14000-ceremony-ordain-spores-future-archbishop |title=14,000 at ceremony to ordain S'pore's future Archbishop |newspaper=[[Today (Singapore newspaper)|Today]] |first=Kimberly |last=Spykerman |date=23 February 2013 |access-date=24 February 2013}}</ref>
The day after his episcopal ordination, Goh hosted a reception at the Catholic Spirituality Centre. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife were among the guests. Invited guests also included Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, Members of Parliament, and members of the Inter-Religious Organisations (IROs).{{cn|date=August 2022}}
Goh addressed the issue of secularism saying: "The greatest concern of the Church today is simply this - that the world is becoming too secularised. In itself it is not wrong. It is when secularisation becomes secularism - that is to say anti-Church and anti-religion. And so without religion, without faith in the absolute, because God is the absolute, then we don't have an objective foundation for moral values ... As a result, people are divided, people are fragmented, because it is all based on relativism, which simply means to say, it is up to each one to think. How can we build a united society when we don't have a reference point, a basis for unity?"<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1256038/1/.html |title=New Catholic Archbishop meets political and religious leaders |work=[[Channel NewsAsia]] |first=Kimberly |last=Spykerman |date=23 February 2013 |access-date=16 March 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130306124528/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1256038/1/.html | archive-date= 6 March 2013 | url-status = dead}}</ref>
Goh also said that the Church is concerned with the common good of society such as justice, harmony and progress and will continue to work with the government to achieve these common good for society. He added that the Church recognises that the just ordering of society is the responsibility and purview of the State, and that the Church cannot take over the role of the government, nor impose its values on believers of other faiths. When asked what was his first priority as Archbishop of Singapore, he said it was to engage the youths of Singapore as they are "vibrant, creative and full of energy". He added that he would like to meet them to understand their aspirations and how they can contribute to the growth of the Roman Catholic Church.<ref name="channelnewsasia_2013-02-22">{{cite web|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1255881/1/.html |title=William Goh ordained as new head of Catholic Church |work=[[Channel NewsAsia]] |first=Kimberly |last=Spykerman |date=22 February 2013 |access-date=16 March 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130224030700/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1255881/1/.html | archive-date = 24 February 2013 | url-status= dead}}</ref>
Goh also pledged to re-examine the structure of the Church and make it more effective and efficient so that there will be more communication and understanding within the Church so that the Church may operate and work in unity and peace.<ref name="channelnewsasia_2013-02-22" />
=== Archbishop ===
Goh became archbishop on 18 May 2013 when [[Pope Francis]] accepted the resignation of his predecessor Archbishop [[Nicholas Chia]].<ref>{{cite press release | publisher = Holy See Press Office | access-date = 29 August 2022 | date = 20 May 2013 | language = it | url = https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2013/05/20/0314/00713.html | title = Rinunce e Nomine, 20.05.2013 }}</ref> He is the second Singapore-born clergyman to hold the office of archbishop.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cardinal of Singapore Archdiocese William Seng Chye Goh |url=https://www.ucanews.com/directory/bishops/cardinal-goh/695 |website=www.ucanews.com |access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> A press release from his office stated that one of his first tasks was to "strengthen the fraternal bonds in the Presbyterium and harness the charisms and passion of his brother priests" so that they can empower the laity to be "co-responsible in the mission of the Church". He also announced a new line-up of key office holders. An installation service followed on 24 May.<ref>{{cite news | work = Catholic News Singapore | access-date = 29 August 2022 | date = 30 May 2013 | url = https://catholicnews.sg/2013/05/30/archbishop-goh-takes-over-as-head-of-archdiocese/ | title = Archbishop Goh takes over as head of archdiocese | archive-date = 5 August 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200805120115/https://catholicnews.sg/2013/05/30/archbishop-goh-takes-over-as-head-of-archdiocese/ | url-status = dead }}</ref>
In 2014, Goh was appointed a member of the [[Presidential Council for Religious Harmony]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.istana.gov.sg/Newsroom/News-Releases/2014/08/22/New-Term-for-Presidential-Council-for-Religious-Harmony | title=The Istana | New Term for Presidential Council for Religious Harmony }}</ref> In 2015, Goh was appointed a member of the [[Presidential Council for Minority Rights]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Au-Yong|first=Rachel|date=2 April 2015|title=Three new appointments to the Presidential Council for Minority Rights|language=en|work=The Straits Times|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/three-new-appointments-to-the-presidential-council-for-minority-rights|access-date=18 November 2021|issn=0585-3923}}</ref>
=== Cardinal ===
On 29 May 2022, [[Pope Francis]] announced he planned to make Goh a [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|cardinal]] at a consistory scheduled for 27 August.<ref>{{cite web |date=29 May 2022 |title=Annuncio di Concistoro il 27 agosto per la creazione di nuovi Cardinali, 29.05.2022 |url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2022/05/29/0408/00844.html |access-date=31 May 2022 |publisher=Holy See Press Office |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last =Kurohi | first =R. | date = 29 May 2022 | title =Catholic Archbishop William Goh to be appointed S'pore's first cardinal in August | work = The Straits Times | access-date = 15 July 2022 | url = https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/catholic-archbishop-william-goh-to-be-appointed-spores-first-cardinal-in-august}}</ref> On 27 August, Pope Francis made him a [[cardinal priest]], assigning him the title of [[Santa Maria Regina Pacis a Ostia Lido]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/2022/documents/ns_lit_doc_20220827_titoli-diaconie-nuovi-cardinali_it.html|title=Assegnazione dei Titoli e delle Diaconie ai nuovi Cardinali|date=27 August 2022|website=[[Holy See|The Holy See]]|publisher=[[Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff|Ufficio delle Celebrazioni Liturgiche del Sommo Pontefice]]|language=it|trans-title=Assignment of Titles and Deaconries to the new Cardinals|access-date=29 August 2022|archive-url=|archive-date=}}</ref> Goh is the first cardinal from Singapore.<ref name="Cardinal">{{cite news |last=Kurohi |first=Rei |date=29 May 2022 |title=Catholic Archbishop William Goh to be appointed Singapore's first cardinal in August |work=Straits Times |url=https://tnp.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/catholic-archbishop-william-goh-be-appointed-singapores-first-cardinal-august |access-date=1 June 2022}}</ref>
In 2023, he was elected as the Vice President of the [[Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=New leadership helms the Regional Bishops' Conference |url=https://www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/new-leadership-helms-the-regional-bishops-conference/71990/5 |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=Herald Malaysia Online}}</ref>
He participated as a [[Cardinal electors in the 2025 papal conclave|cardinal elector]] in the [[2025 papal conclave]] that elected [[Pope Leo XIV]].<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/scardc3.html| title=Cardinal Electors|date=6 May 2025|publisher=Catholic-Hierarchy.org|language=en|access-date=6 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506193115/https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/scardc3.html|archive-date=6 May 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>
==See also==
* [[Cardinals created by Pope Francis]]
==Notes== {{Notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{wikiquote}} * {{cite web|url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_goh_w.html|title =Goh Card. William S. C.|website=[[Holy See Press Office]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828005202/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_goh_w.html|archive-date=28 August 2022|url-status=live}} * {{cite web | url = https://www.catholic.sg/archbishop/about/ | title = Archbishop William Goh | website = Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore | access-date = 7 November 2021 | archive-date = 19 August 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180819025412/https://www.catholic.sg/archbishop/about/ | url-status = dead }}
{{s-start}} {{succession box | before=[[Nicholas Chia|Nicholas Gerald Chia Yeck Joo]] | title=[[Archdiocese of Singapore|Archbishop of Singapore]] | years=2013- | after=Incumbent | }} {{s-break}} {{s-bef|before=[[Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Cardinal-Priest of [[Santa Maria Regina Pacis a Ostia Lido]]|years=27 August 2022 – present}} {{s-inc}} {{s-bef|before=[[Cornelius Sim]]}} {{s-ttl|title=General Secretary of the [[Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]]|years=2017–2018}} {{s-aft|after=[[Richard Ng (bishop)|Richard Ng]]}} {{s-break}} {{s-bef|before=[[Cornelius Sim]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Vice-President of the [[Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei]]|years=2021-}} {{s-inc}} {{s-end}} {{portalbar|Singapore|Biography|Christianity|Catholicism}} {{College of Cardinals}} {{Cardinals created by Francis}} {{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Goh, William}} [[Category:21st-century Roman Catholic archbishops in Singapore]] [[Category:1957 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Cardinals created by Pope Francis]] [[Category:Singaporean people of Chinese descent]] [[Category:Singaporean Roman Catholic archbishops]] [[Category:Singaporean cardinals]] [[Category:Roman Catholic archbishops of Singapore]] [[Category:Montfort Secondary School alumni]]