First Serra Club Formed in Singapore


SINGAPORE, FEB. 14, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Singapore has inaugurated its first Serra Club, an international Catholic organization that promotes vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life.

Archbishop Nicholas Chia of Singapore celebrated a Mass for the club on Friday, the group said. The club will be based at the Church of the Holy Cross.

The Serra Club said it sees the opening in Singapore as timely, given the current situation of the priesthood in this republic of 4.4 million people.

There are 138 priests: 73 diocesan and 65 from various religious orders. Of the 73 diocesan priests, 13 are not in active service. Another 44 are past their retirement age.

There are only seven local seminarians in formation. There might be one candidate for ordination this year, and then not another one for the next five years.

The number of Catholics in Singapore, now about 170,000, is expected to grow to 318,000 by 2016.

The first Serra Club was formed in 1935, in Seattle, Washington. In Asia, as of 2005, there were Serra Clubs in Hong Kong, the Philippines, Taiwan, Macau, Korea, Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India.