Message from our Cardinal
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Ten years have passed so quickly. The establishment of the Catholic Theological Institute of Singapore (CTIS) came into being soon after I became the Ordinary of the Archdiocese. In my vision for the Archdiocese to be a vibrant, missionary and evangelising church, I saw the critical importance of forming our faithful in their faith. Equally important was the need to equip our lay people with the necessary skillsets in teaching, faith formation, giving talks and conducting retreats, so that they can partner our priests in building up the faith of the People of God.
Fast forward ten years, both English and Chinese departments in CTIS are thriving, and CTIS is now a household name in the Archdiocese. Contrary to what sceptics had predicted when the institute was established, we have not exhausted our students for enrolment. Instead, when people hear of how those who have attended our courses have benefited, they too are inspired to enrol.
The Chinese department is growing from strength to strength, thanks the vision of Msgr James Yeo, the dedicated work of Msgr. Peter Zhang and other Mandarin-speaking priests like Fr. John Binshan, and some members of the laity who have gone to Taiwan Fu Ren University to get their degrees in theological and religious studies and returned to teach and impart their knowledge at CTIS.
Indeed, by God's grace, because of perseverance, conviction and dedication of our lay leaders in the CTIS Board of Directors and the lecturers themselves, CTIS has grown in strength and in capacity to continue to offer our laity academic certificates and diplomas in theology. We are moving in the right direction. With possible affiliation to established universities, we hope to make greater progress so that we can provide the best formation to our laity. We must also continue to invest in our potential lay leaders and teachers by sending them for advanced studies so that they can continue to teach in our theological institute.
It is most comforting to know that our lay people take their theological and scriptural formation seriously. Many, in spite of their heavy responsibilities at home and at work, make great effort to attend classes, and work on assignments. I admire their diligence, perseverance and dedication. I pray that more will be inspired to enrol for the courses so that they too can be enriched, not just in their faith and relationship with God but also have a clear purpose and direction for life.
I am confident that CTIS would inspire and enlighten them in their faith, challenging them to deepen their faith as well so that they can tryly be educators, formators and witnesses of the Catholic faith to those who are seeking meaning and purpose in life, and find God and direction. Congratulations!
Yours devotedly in Christ.
H. Em. Cardinal William SC Goh
Archbishop of Singapore
April 2023
H. Em. Cardinal William SC Goh
Archbishop of Singapore
Our Archbishop's Message
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This year (2017) marks the third anniversary of the opening of the Catholic Theological Institute of Singapore (CTIS). This has been a dream of our church in Singapore; a dream born out of necessity to equip our lay leaders with the necessary knowledge of the church's teachings so that they can collaborate with our priests and religious in the work of the new evangelization. This need is even more urgent today, as we have fewer and fewer vocations to the priesthood and to the religious life.
How can we continue to keep our faith alive for our children, and our children's children, if there is no one to impart faith? How can we justify the blood and sweat of our spiritual forefathers who left home and country to bring the faith to our shores at the expense of their lives so that we may come to know Christ and to have hope of a better life? How do we realize our dream of a vibrant and evangelizing Church if we do not have the foundation on which to build our faith?
Many of our Catholics are shy and lack the confidence to speak about their faith, much less defend it when it is challenged. This is because they do not know how to express what they believe in, or why they observe certain practices, devotions, and rituals. So they avoid letting others know that they are Catholic. Or they refer questionaires to our priests and religious to provide the answers. Although they continue to receive the sacraments, they do so out of habit or tradition, without understanding, lacking in fervor, because they are not convinced why they do it but do it nonetheless out of fear that they will go to hell if they do not observe the laws of the Church.
Thankfully, there are many Catholics who hunger to know more about the faith, so that they can be strengthened in their belief. There are also many who desire to fulfill their Christian mission to spread the Word, and to help grow the Church through meaningful service. CTIS exists precisely to help those of you who are seeking a deeper understanding and appreciation of the faith to encounter Christ.
So, I encourage those of you who have a role in imparting the faith in one way or another, especially those serving in the Church ministries, and those who desire to seriously live out their Christian calling to make Christ known to the world - to enrol for a course at CTIS. You need to seriously arm yourself with the knowledge of the truth if you are going to stand up for your faith, for the Church, and for Jesus, especially when the world is ever ready to offer a thousand reasons why it is futile to store up treasures in heaven, because there is no certainty that tomorrow exists.
For the sake of our children, our society and the world, I urge you to take a definitive step to deepen your understanding of the faith so that you can be zealous and courageous witnesses and teachers of the faith.
Yours devotedly in Christ.
H. Em. Cardinal William SC Goh
Archbishop of Singapore
January 2017