SINGAPORE: A Roman Catholic priest was stabbed while saying mass inside a church in Singapore on Saturday, police said, but added they did not think it was an act of terrorism.

The priest was sent to hospital, but was in a `stable condition`, while his Singaporean attacker was arrested, police said in a statement posted on Facebook.

Singapore is one of Asia`s safest cities and violent crimes such as stabbings or shootings are extremely rare.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said he was `very shocked and saddened` about the incident, and identified the priest as Christopher Lee.

`Violence has no place in Singapore,` he said on Facebook. `Most of all, we must uphold the safety and sanctity of our places of worship places where people seek peace, solace, and community.` The police statement said the 57-year-old priest `was stabbed during mass` and that the attacker was `disarmed by members of the congregation and subsequently arrested by police officers`.-AFP