Ex-Catholic Church leader in coma

The former head of the Catholic Church here has been warded with a serious injury after falling on Tuesday.

Archbishop Emeritus Nicholas Chia (inset) is suffering from intracranial haemorrhage (bleeding within the skull), a church spokesman told The New Paper yesterday.

He is currently warded in the intensive care unit of Mount Alvernia Hospital and Medical Centre.

The 75-year-old, who stepped down as the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore last May after more than a decade at the helm, was found lying on the ground at Punggol Park by a passer-by. The park is next to the Catholic Spirituality Centre, where he lives.

He was rushed to hospital immediately.

Doctors told the church that Archbishop Emeritus Nicholas had suffered a moderate coma and is under observation. He may also require surgery should his condition deteriorate.

The spokesman for the Catholic Church said: "We ask that everyone prays for his swift recovery, but ultimately, it is in the hands of God."

- Gerald Kevin Chan