Bishop Clyde Harvey of Trinidad has been the target of an attempt to remove him due to feuds within the RC Church in Grenada.
Following Harvey’s removal of local priest Fr. Gerard Paul from the priesthood due to Paul’s outspoken criticism of him and the church leadership for their silence about what he called Israel’s killing of Palestinians in Gaza during the battle against Hamas, the action was taken.
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On April 20, Harvey’s two-page letter of suspension, which informed Paul that he would not be permitted to carry out his responsibilities as the parish priest of the Holy Family Catholic Church, River Sallee, St. Patrick, was handed by a court bailiff.
Paul disregarded the suspension and presided over Sunday mass at his church, giving a sermon to around 70 people, some of whom were journalists.
According to a recent source, Paul blamed Harvey for the five African priests who left Grenada during his homily, denouncing Israel as a horrible country that continues to kill and starve Palestinians. He made this claim toward the close of the service.
Harvey, he claimed, was now aiming for him as the sixth priest, but he would fail.
After Paul proclaimed the beginning of a campaign against Harvey for suspending him, parishioners gathered to sign a petition calling for Harvey’s removal, according to a local newspaper.
Paul has pledged to deliver the petition for Harvey’s removal to every Catholic on the island, as well as those throughout the Caribbean and the diaspora. To present his position on the matter, he also intends to write the Vatican.
Since Harvey took over the position almost seven years ago, he has been criticized by him for having inadequate leadership.
Despite Harvey reaching the statutory retirement age as a bishop, Rome has granted him a two-year extension while they look for his replacement.
Since Paul’s public criticism of the church three weeks ago, the two priests have been at odds with each other.
There was no response when requests for comments from Port of Spain Archbishop Jason Gordon.
The process of brotherly partnership, known as synodality, needs interior transformation, according to a statement issued from his desk following the Antilles Episcopal Conference’s 68th Annual Plenary Meeting in Nassau, Bahamas.
The declaration read, “A safe space must be created among the bishops, clergy, religious, and the people of God.
During the meeting, the declaration stated, “The bishops listened intently to Bishop Clyde Harvey speaking about the unfolding situation in the Grenadian Church. They expressed solidarity with the People of God of Grenada and its shepherd and offered continued support and prayer to bring healing and reconciliation.”
It concluded, “In a spirit of synodality, the bishops discerned the urgency to address four pastoral issues in the regional Church – Evangelisation and Discipleship Formation, Catholic Education, Domestic Church, and vocation. These pastoral matters will require further consideration in dialogue with the People of God.”
