The Bishop Harvey-Gerard Paul Catholic Church controversy in Grenada appears to be occupying discussion in the wider region.
Wee News has been privy to a statement by the Archbishop of Castries, St. Lucia, Gabriel Malzaire, who has expressed being deeply saddened by the situation here.
In summary, Fr. Gerard Paul has been voicing his opinion on the Israeli-Hamas-Palestinian-Gaza conflict, where the general view is that an unpleasant humanitarian situation has emerged with an Israeli military onslaught in retaliation for the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, where hundreds of Israelis were killed, raped and or taken hostage.
REPORT:
Fr. Gerard Paul did feel that the Catholic church was silent on the issue and made remarks, to the effect where it was felt he was making accusations and attacking the Churches’ leadership, which caused Bishop Clyde Harvey to respond suspending him and then later withdrawing that action to enforce mediation.
But that did not work out the way it should and Fr. Paul, after one week, was suspended a second time indefinitely.
This triggered another set of feeling with Father Paul holding mass at the Holy Family Catholic Church last Sunday and insisting that there be a campaign to remove the Bishop from his post here in Grenada as Archbishop of the Diocese of St. George’s.
Now, the leadership of the Province of Castries, Antilles Episcopal Conference, Archbishop Gabriel Malzaire, speaking out on the issue, is deeply saddened by the situation, which he labels as a public display of disregard for headship, and the policies and processes of the Church.
He believes the series of errant actions which occurred and following the annual Chrism Mass on Wednesday, 27th March 2024, has brought disrepute to the Church and immeasurable hurt to the faithful.
Archbishop Malzaire goes on to say, It has now become necessary for the leadership to intervene and to take action in accordance with the right order of the Church and that Bishop Clyde Martin Harvey is the rightfully appointed bishop of the Diocese of St George’s-in-Grenada and must be respected as such.
As required by Canon Law, he submitted his resignation on attaining his 75th birthday.
The Holy Father Pope Francis, by letter of January 2024, asked him to remain as bishop of the diocese with full duties and rights until a new bishop is chosen and duly appointed.
Consistent with the policies and processes of the Church, Archbishop Malzaire says, it is the expectation that any instruction which Bishop Harvey, as duly appointed Bishop of the diocese, issues to members of the clergy in the Diocese of St George’s-in-Grenada, must be adhered to and that any objection to such instruction must follow the requisite internal processes of enquiry and resolution.
He says it’s not the practice nor the desired position of the Church to address internal differences publicly and the Church takes guidance from both scripture and law and the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 18 provides initial steps for fraternal engagement and correction and that Canon Law provides more explicit guidelines for right order in the Church.
Archbishop Malzaire says he’s prepared to urgently hear and consider any objections which Fr. Gerard Paul may wish to make concerning his suspension, or any complaints against the bishop.
