A Roman Catholic priest in Grenada has been suspended immediately and indefinitely from all ministry following what has been described as contentious remarks he made about the war between Israel and Hamas and his criticism of the church.
The suspension of Father Gerard Paul took effect on April 4, 2024 and came after a dramatic and very public showdown between him and the Bishop of the Diocese of St George’s in Grenada, Clyde Harvey.
“The Church has rules, clear expectations, and protections for the People of God, enshrined in the Code of Canon Law and the ordinary teaching of Popes and bishops,” Bishop Harvey said in a statement on Sunday concerning the suspension. “When Fr. Paul said, ‘I have no regrets and I will do it again’, he put himself beyond review and fraternal correction.”
The controversy exploded following events on March 27, 2024 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and subsequent statements made by Father Paul on various media platforms in which he accused the church in Grenada for not condemning the situation in Gaza. He said at a recent clergy retreat, the situation was not even mentioned or addressed.
“I call upon the Church today to get its freedom and to get its voice and speak up for justice,” he stated while calling the Gaza War a ‘wholesale slaughter’ of Palestinians and Muslims. “We cannot rightly ever preach the Gospel if we do not stand for justice. It’s time the Catholic Church stands for justice. It’s time we hear the voices of the pastors of the church, we hear the voices of the priests of the church, we hear the voices of the bishops, we hear the voices of the archbishops, we hear the voice of the pope standing for justice. When you stand in silence, when you sit in silence, you are part of these injustice in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Bishop Harvey struck back at a Chrism Mass in St George’s.
“I was inclined to say nothing because the Eucharist is not a place to divide us,” he said. “We all stand up for justice. How we stand up for justice depends on our insights, how we see things. It is not true to say that the clergy of this diocese went on a retreat and did not think about Gaza. That is just not true and I want that to be made clear. I don’t hold Father Jerry accountable for what he does not know. He was not there every day, every hour, every Mass at the retreat as far as I remember.”
In a statement on Thursday, Bishop Harvey continued on the matter saying many people were offended, even scared by Father Paul’s actions and words.
“What was done, deliberately choreographed, seems to be an act of self promotion more than a cry for justice,” he said. “The former is unworthy of Father Paul as a priest of Jesus Christ.”
The statement from the Diocese of George’s on Sunday acknowledged that many shared Father Paul’s view on the situation in Gaza, but the diocese condemned his persistent attack of the Catholic Church and its leadership as “erroneous and divisive.”
It said his suspension was not based solely on his remarks on March 27 but from a “persistent pattern of behavior” characterized by attacks on the Church and misleading claims.
It stated that Father Paul was called upon to stop such behavior but he showed no intention in doing so with Bishop Harvey saying that such attitudes undermine the authority of the Church and is misleading to all.
The statement from Bishop Harvey said the decision was necessary to address the harm caused to the faithful and the diocese in general.
The war in Gaza began when Hamas, a Palestinian militant group which has been deemed a terrorist organization by many western countries and which has vowed to totally destroy Israel, launched a surprise attack on southern Israel on October 3, 2023. Some 1,200 people were killed, and more than 250 were taken to Gaza as hostages, according to the Israeli government.
In response, Israel has launched an all out war in Gaza and has vowed to destroy Hamas. Since then, more than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Hamas and large swathes on the Gaza Strip have been reduced to rubble.
The hierarchy of the Catholic Church has constantly spoken against the war.
On February 13, the Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, spoke to reporters in Rome about the matter.
“Israel’s right of self-defense, which has been invoked to justify this operation, must be proportional, and with thirty thousand dead, it certainly isn’t,” he said.
This prompted that Israel’s embassy at The Vatican to issue a statement saying Parolin’s response was “unfortunate.”
The day after the Hamas attack, Pope Francis spoke on the issue saying, “Let the attacks and weapons cease, please, because it must be understood that terrorism and war do not lead to any resolutions, but only to the death and suffering of many innocent people.”
During Sunday prayer service on October 29th, 2023, Francis called for a ceasefire in Gaza saying, “Stop, brothers and sisters: war is always a defeat—always, always!”
In October last year, The Washington Post reported that, during a phone call, Francis told Israel’s President, Isaac Herzog, that it is “forbidden to respond to terror with terror.”
In his Easter message, Pope Francis once again called for an immediate cease fire in Gaza and the release of all hostages.
“I appeal once again that access to humanitarian aid be ensured to Gaza, and call once more for the prompt release of the hostages seized on last October 7 and for an immediate ceasefire in the Strip,” he said while addressing some 60,000 Catholics in Vatican Square on Easter Sunday. “How much suffering we see in the eyes of children, the children have forgotten to smile in those war zones. With their eyes, children ask us: Why? Why all this death? Why all this destruction? War is always an absurdity and a defeat.”
sadly, everyone commenting hasn’t understood the crust of the matter. It has nothing to do with justice or injustice, the war in the Middle East. But a simple issue of discipline. In all organizations rules are rules. and if you fail to fail to follow the rules, you must accept the consequences.
Wow.. pardon me but, big black men like that become catholic priests, Jesuit priests? And even arguing, in today’s environment?
A Zionist I see. Firstly, they are not the real Jews. The original jews were black people. Let’s move on. Secondly, Brittain and America did not want those people in their country. They , on whose authority, I don’t know. gave them the Palestinian’s land. 1948. Where was the church then. Crickets. These are the same people Edi Amin kicked out of Uganda. He had nothing good to say about them. Now we see why. God’s chosen would not be dealing in arms, and have the most sophisticated weaponry. This priest had the right to speak out. Much like Martin Luther and the 95 theses he tacked on the door of the church. Whatever the church has done, it is not enough. They have not condemned America. Germany, and Brittain for adding fuel to the fire, or for that matter, starting the fire. Look back at South Africa, they were in the same situation. Look at Niger and France. Niger suffered greatly under the boits of France. What did the Church do when this all started? Oct 7th was not day 1.
The priest is correct. What Israel is doing is atrocious. And they are bolstered by the fanaticism of Pentecostals and Catholics.
Since when did the Church fight for justice for the oppressed people? Didn’t the Church work hand in hand with the European Kings and Emperors to facilitate slave trading in Africa?
But is pardners like Mr BishopMan dere dat was against Jesus!!!
Jesus wasn’t a public speaker nuh talking about all the injustices of people at that time!!!
Soh what does BishopMan haffi say about Jesus as he was in the public arena talking about atrocities against people of that time!!!
it appears that individuals have not considered the entire issues as presented. There is no comment relating to injustice and suffering occurring elsewhere that which were openly condemned by the Bishop. The is also no acknowledgement that the Bishop openly said that some of the priests views were shared. For me, some of the priests comments were unfactual and thus misleading,
he lied by saying that he gained permission to
address the congregation when he did not and the
time and place for his “outburst” were inappropriate. These are the real issues. All
professions has a code of conduct that underpins practice and if these are breeched, he must be justly sanctioned.
Well done Bishop.
The Catholic priest is right. Where is the Justice? If the church as we know has the strongest voice on earth. why can’t they stop the fighting? Instead they Rather silence a man for speaking the truth. But we have yet to see the fall of the church because It’s the church that’s supporting the fighting. so may God be with us all because he is not in the churchs
Who, are you to say a man is not worthy, and by who’s authority. Judgement belongs to god and god alone,.can’t someone voiced his or her opinion if not then we are a in bad state, even if his opinion affects the catholics there’s always a way out for a solution for a problem,
The priest needs to shut his damn mouth and stop being so ignorant, everybody is focused on the Israeli response so much so that they almost forgot what happened on October when Hamas invaded and slaughtered innocent civilians while Palestinians rejoiced, keep in mind Hamas is there because the Palestinians voted them in, go ahead and feel sorry for them, I’m sure they care about you and especially your catholicism, in a land where your options are convert or die, keep being ignorant.
Hmm, sounds like Paul needs to read the Bible which clearly states who is to reside in Israel. Funny he also did not speak out on trans either as an abomination. Paul, I ou can’t pick and choose what us right.
Even though everyone is entitled to their opinion, the cast majority of the globe including the ICJ can see that Netanyahu is intent on destroying the very essence of the Palestinian people. Over 14,000 children have been killed and then using aid/ food to deprive people of the essentials of life bordering on starvation is just inhumane…..governments don’t do this to prisoners. History will be the final judge here.
A Zionist I see. Firstly, they are not the real Jews. The original jews were black people. Let’s move on. Secondly, Brittain and America did not want those people in their country. They , on whose authority, I don’t know. gave them the Palestinian’s land. 1948. Where was the church then. Crickets. These are the same people Edi Amin kicked out of Uganda. He had nothing good to say about them. Now we see why. God’s chosen would not be dealing in arms, and have the most sophisticated weaponry. This priest had the right to speak out. Much like Martin Luther and the 95 theses he tacked on the door of the church. Whatever the church has done, it is not enough. They have not condemned America. Germany, and Brittain for adding fuel to the fire, or for that matter, starting the fire. Look back at South Africa, they were in the same situation. Look at Niger and France. Niger suffered greatly under the boits of France. What did the Church do when this all started? Oct 7th was not day 1.
The two worst diseases plaguing the world today are religion and politics. Both are mind altering. They turn their followers into religious and politics zealots. These two are responsible for most the division and internal conflicts within nations and wars among countries.
I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.
Tell me about it. I have been saying the same thing for years now, concerning religion and politics. These two instutions have separated us as a people and it seems like we don’t know or are not willing to to get back to our Spirituality. That’s what we had before the arrival of religion. We will even fight each other to remain faithful to both.
We are so uneducated concerning our Spirituality and that’s what religion has done to us. Unless we get back to who we were as a people, we are headed for destruction and no Jesus is going to save us.
UNAPOLOGETIC
This Fr. Paul comes out as presumptuous and petulant. First of all, this 33,000 figure is a propaganda tool and has not been independently verified. It is like that 6 million death toll being presented to us as fact. Yes the Jews were absolutely slaughtered, but it was not 6 million. This 33,000 is a HAMAS propaganda tool to garner sympathy and support. Secondly, I have not heard of Fr. Paul huffing and puffing over the absolute slaughter and persistent persecutions of fellow Christians by Muslims in Nigeria and Pakistan.
The UN know and agree Israel is occupying Palestinian land.Everybody know the Israelites are murdering and making the Palestinians slaves in their own land and have been doing that for years.The people supporting Israel are Hypocrites,and they are doing so because the 66 books which make up the bible,from Geniuses to Revelation is about Israel.They are brainwashed into believing the Israelites are the Chosen people of God, and that is what the Israel backers cannot question.The Palestinians are not terrorists,the USA,UN and Israel are terrorists and murderers of 33,000 innocent men,women and children.Father Paul is right.many are called but few are chosen.Vengance is mine.Thou shall not kill. As long as it is done by Israel it is ok,hypocrites.I once asked a Christian,the land Israel is now occupying who it belong to,he said God gave it the the Israelites.God took it from who to give to the Israelites?The UN,UK and the EU Israel land and made them a state in 1948.
The land whether owned by the Israelis or the Palestinians, is not the real reason for the fights. The reason is because one party refused to recognize the other party and respect is lost. There are Arabs , Jews , Palestinian – Jews , thus they must come together and live as one.. intolerance is actually what led to this war , the war has been raging for more than seven decades, the people simply aren’t civilized enough to contain themselves.
We are a global family and no longer living in the biblical era, thus some respect for everyone’s religious beliefs, freedom to all humans , the world doesn’t belong to anyone we are strangers , here as marketers, after which we return to our various homes . Live and let Live!
Mr. Paul, join an Evangelical Church.
Give Christ a hold of your life. No will fire you.
@Brain Damage
Are you assuming that Christ does not have a hold of his life? If yes, how do you know that?
So you think that joining another religion will give Mr. Paul the freedom to follow his conscience and express his individuality, lol. Do you know why we have all these religious Christian denominations, the Evangelical Church is just another offspring of Christianity and it all goes back to disagreements.
in beliefs, teachings and issues which present themselves from time to time
in our earthly existence.
Kudos to this priest. Walk with your head high brother. Everytime i hear of Western countries and America designating countries as terrorist states i shake my head.
America and Israel are the two most dangerous terrorist states on planet earth. They have together slaughtered millions of innocent lives. Israel was given a blank check by Biden to commit genocide in Gaza. Biden is giving the weapons Netanyahu doing the indiscriminate killing. Two global villains and criminals. Well done priest!! Way to go!!
History has shown that whenever someone speaks truth to power that person is usually ostracized, dehumanized, incarcerated, and occasionally meets his demise.
The history of the Catholic Church is very similar to what the Zonist state is presently doing to the Palestinians.
You have the constitutional right to freedom of speech. Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.
Just curious, do we need a constitutional right to give us freedom of speech.
the catholic church has long lost any moral right to say anything about anything as all the ever cared about is $$
This matter demonstrates a drawback belonging to institutions or groups, which is, the obliteration of individuality, a divine attribute bestowed to Man. This is not about right or wrong, Gerard Paul’s stance hurts no one by exercising his conscience, who are we to judge. It becomes a problem when he decides to enforce his beliefs on others. The conflict we are witnessing has its roots in two institutions, Religion and Government, the people committing the atrocities on both sides are manipulated by these two Institutions, the sad joke is we seek these two institutions to bring about a solution.
Gerard Paul needs to get on with his life and not be worried by the fear tactics of expulsion used to control him, man’s first allegiance is to the divine creator not institutions. probably he was never meant to be a priest.
“This matter demonstrates a drawback belonging to institutions or groups, which is, the obliteration of individuality, a divine attribute bestowed to Man.”
I wholeheartedly agree!
I resist being a formal member of groups, and especially those that relate to my work as an artist. Creativity is an individualistic pursuit. It can’t be governed by “Executive Committees”.
There will ONLY be ONE STATE in the land region referred to as Palestine (formerly called Canaan in some texts while in other texts it is referred to as part of Canaan) and that will be the STATE OF ISRAEL.
Please let the United Nations and the deluded globalist anti-God & anti-Israeli propaganda machinery know this. Woe to anyone who opposes the nation of Israel!!!
@Channel One
You and Chien Bondieu are the same person. Wickednesss has covered your heart almost to the point of no return.
@Channel one, the Israel they talking about today has nothing to do with scripture you referenced. That land was given, just recently, in 1948 by the UN and US president Truman to European converts to Judaism who originated from the Khazars (Jew’ish’), complete with reparations. Nothing at all to do with biblical.
Don’t ask me, ask the white jewish anti-Zionists.
Excellent Channel One! We can’t claim to believe the Bible and refuse its teachings. Salvation of mankind was founded by Holy God calling Abraham, (who was at the time childless) the founder of the Jewish and Christian faith. (Genesis 12:1-9)
He was promised many children and the land of present day Israel for the children to live. (Genesis 15:18-21).
Abraham was also promised that in his seed all nations shall be blessed. Obviously, God was talking about Jesus Christ our Savior, a progeny of Abraham and founder of Christianity.
Common sense, should reveal to us, that if Holy God promised Abraham children as stars in the sky, which He did, then He must give him a place to put them, which God did and it is the land of Israel. Period no question about it. Israel cannot be destroyed because they stand as testament to God’s power and promise. I will curse those who curse you and I will bless those who bless you. Genesis 12:3. God’s promise to Abraham. Amen 🙏🏽
Who, are you to say a man is not worthy, and by who’s authority. Judgement belongs to god and god alone,.can’t someone voiced his or her opinion if not then we are a in bad state, even if his opinion affects the catholics there’s always a way out for a solution for a problem,
I support Bishop Harvey completely and unequivocally. An attack on Israel is an attack on the Catholic Church, which is the bedrock of the Universal (Catholic Church).
Obviously Fr Paul is unaware of this. He obviously was poorly trained.
Hamas and the Muslim world have no interest in living with Israel in peace. The annihilation of the Jewish nation is their purpose. The place of Israel in that land which they now occupy, is enshrined in the Holy Bible, which Fr Paul professes to believe and teach.
Once again! I wholeheartedly support Harvey. May you be an example to us all.
@Chien Bondieu
Keep supporting your criminality, using the bible as your defence. Your wicked and heartless soul. Fire burn you!
Of course Pope Francis and the Church in Rome are against the war in Gaza. But perhaps the Curch (in Grenada) could be less ambigious about its stance on the issue. perhaps this is what prompted the discord between the Priest and Bishop here.
Amen Father Gerald Paul, the catholic church needs to stand for justice. The Bishop in Dominica, Passed, some of the priest, and pastors did the same and doing the same in Dominica. All the injustices they stay silent, the people are being persecuted for standing for corruption and injustice and they stay silent, some even preach on the pulpit in support of the injustices.
“I call upon the Church today to get its freedom and to get its voice and speak up for justice,” he stated while calling the Gaza War a ‘wholesale slaughter’ of Palestinians and Muslims. “
I fully support you on this one father Gerard Paul. Why should the church and good people remain silent when wrong is prevailing? It’s time that good people of good conscience call wrong out regardless of what their religion teaches or what politicians say. What Israel is doing in Gaza is wrong and they need to be called out
When you say “I call upon the Church today to get its freedom and to get its voice and speak up for justice,” well who is the Church, is it the people or the hierarchy who dictate the dogma and set the agenda. Do you know the hierarchy is powerless without the people, they need followers. It’s like an Army, without soldiers, why do we give our collective power to individuals
who manipulate us, it is we who give them power by carrying out their orders
and doctrine.
When you remain silent in the face of reprehensible injustice, you become an accomplice of that injustice.