SINGAPORE – The Roman Catholic community and the nation at large are mourning the loss of Archbishop Emeritus Nicholas Chia, who passed away peacefully at the age of 86 at St Theresa's Home on December 17.

Not only was he the first Singapore-born clergyman to lead the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore, but he also earned the affectionate title of "the people’s priest" for his dedication to the community.

In a heartfelt message on Facebook, Cardinal William Goh announced the news, urging the community to remember the archbishop in their prayers.

His wake will take place from December 18 to 21 at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd on Queen Street, where they will host a series of solemn services culminating in a requiem mass and cremation on December 21.

The detailed schedule for the wake and funeral is as follows:

**December 18 (Wednesday)**: 3 PM – 7 PM: Wake (Visiting Hours) 7:30 PM: Solemn Vespers 8 PM: Mass 9 PM – 11 PM: Wake (Visiting Hours) **December 19 and 20 (Thursday and Friday)**: 7 AM – 12 PM: Wake (Visiting Hours) 12 PM: Rosary 1:15 PM: Weekday Mass 2 PM – 7 PM: Wake (Visiting Hours) 3 PM: Divine Mercy Devotion 7:30 PM: Solemn Vespers 8 PM: Mass 9 PM – 11 PM: Wake (Visiting Hours) **December 21 (Saturday)**: 7 AM – 12 PM: Wake (Visiting Hours) 2 PM: Requiem Mass (Livestream available on YouTube) 5 PM: Cremation at Mandai Crematorium, Hall 1

Just hours before his passing, the archdiocese shared urgent prayers for Archbishop Chia, highlighting his critical condition.

The post garnered nearly 2,000 reactions in no time, showcasing the deep affection and respect the community held for him.

Tributes poured in from notable figures, including President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who characterized Archbishop Chia as a "humble servant leader" and a relentless advocate for interfaith understanding.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong expressed his condolences, remarking on Chia's rich legacy of faith and community dedication.

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong also shared his experiences working with the archbishop on sensitive issues surrounding racial and religious harmony, emphasizing Chia's firm leadership in preserving peace among diverse communities.

Archbishop Emeritus Chia was born on April 8, 1938, and received his early education at Holy Innocents’ English School.

He was ordained a priest in 1964 and spent decades serving various parishes, demonstrating a firm commitment to humanitarian efforts through organizations like Caritas Humanitarian Aid and Relief.

His leadership spanned a challenging and transformative era for the Catholic Church in Singapore.

He succeeded Archbishop Gregory Yong in 2001 and served until his retirement in 2013, after which he continued his spiritual work at the Catholic Spirituality Centre.

His demise has left a palpable void in the community, with many remembering him for his unwavering faith, compassion, and dedication to fostering harmony among people from different backgrounds.

The legacy of Archbishop Nicholas Chia will undoubtedly live on, inspiring future generations to uphold his vision of inclusivity and solidarity.