text: [{"text_idx": "#000118", "text": "Completed in 1847, the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd is the oldest Roman Catholic church in Singapore. The cathedral is located right in the centre of Singapore near the National Museum and National Library, and easily accessible via the city\u2019s MRT system (Bras Basah and City Hall MRT stations). The church is open to visitors Monday to Friday 07:00 to 21:00 and from 08:00 to 21:00 on Saturday and Sundays. The Cathedral Heritage Gallery is open every day from 09:00 to 22:00."}, {"text_idx": "#000120", "text": "The \u2018Good Shepherd\u2019 referred to in name of the cathedral is Laurent-Joseph-Marius Imbert. Laurent-Joseph-Marius Imbert was a French missionary who was appointed as the Second Roman Catholic Bishop of Korea. He was canonised (made a Saint) in 1984 at a ceremony in Seoul. Laurent-Joseph-Marius Imbert died on the 21 September 1839, one of an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 Catholics who were executed in Korea in the 19th Century for their beliefs. Laurent-Joseph-Marius Imbert gave himself up to the Imperial Army, who were conducting purge of Christians in Korea, in the mistaken belief that if all priests willing accepted their punishment then members of their congregation would be spared. Laurent-Joseph-Marius Imbert\u2019s connection to Singapore was through a week long visit to the island in 1821, during which he is believed to have been the first Catholic Priest to conduct Mass in Singapore. The bones of Laurent-Joseph-Marius Imbert, who was initially buried in Korea, were brought to Singapore and they are know kept at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd."}]