UPDATE GRENADA-Priest suspended indefinitely in war of words over Gaza

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC—Bishop Clive Harvey said Monday that Roman Catholic priest Father Gerard Paul had “not been suspended because of what he had said about Gaza” but for his continued “lack of respect” for the Church and his “pronouncements that often stray from the truth.”

“I wish to state…Father Gerard Paul had not been suspended because of what he said about Gaza. His sentiments have been echoed by many in and out of the Catholic Church. The Church is very concerned and will continue to speak out about the unjust situations in the world, including Gaza, Ukraine, Haiti, and Sudan,” Bishop Harvey said in a video statement.

He said the Church would continue that policy while actively caring for persons “amid these situations.”

He said the priest had been suspended “because of his continuing lack of respect for the Church of which he is a priest and his pronouncements that often stray from the truth.

The Trinidad-born Bishop said that when Father Paul is challenged on his statements, “he does not correct his errors and does not seem to care about such corrections.

“Many of the responses in the media focused on Gaza and have not been able to note the other issues involved. Over the past ten days, Father Paul has expressed his views in ways that mock authority; respect for authority is one of the pillars of civilized society.

“When such respect is undermined without being addressed, the result could only be a total breakdown of society. This applies to all sectors.”

Bishop Harvey said suspending a priest from ministry “is not to be confused with dismissal from the priesthood. No matter how long it may be, Suspension always has a view of fraternal correction.

“We hope that Father Paul will listen to that call. Our diocese considers him a brother priest, and we are willing to assist him in seeking the help he needs. We continue to pray. But the risen Lord will guide us in the days ahead, Alleluia, Alleluia,” Bishop Harvey added.

Father Paul has not yet responded to the latest statement by the Bishop. Still, earlier, the head of the Roman Catholic Church here announced the “immediate and indefinite” Suspension of the priest following his war of words regarding, among other matters, the ongoing war in Gaza between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group as well as criticism of the Church.

Bishop Harvey said that the Suspension of Father Paul took effect on April 4, 2024.

“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,” said

In a statement, the Bishop of the Diocese of St George’s added, “When Fr. Paul said, ‘I have no regrets, and I will do it again,’ he put himself beyond review and fraternal correction.”

The controversy began on March 27, 2024, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, with subsequent statements made by Father Paul on various media platforms in which he accused the Church of not condemning the situation in Gaza.

Father Paul said at a recent clergy retreat that the situation was not mentioned or addressed.

“I call upon the Church today to get its freedom and to get its voice and speak up for justice,” the priest said while calling the Gaza War a ‘wholesale slaughter’ of Palestinians and Muslims.

“We cannot rightly 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 Church’s pastors, the voices of the Church’s priests, the voices of the bishops, the voices of the archbishops, the voice of the pope standing for justice. When you stand in silence and sit in silence, you are part of this injustice in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit,’ the Grenadian-born Father Paul said.

But Bishop Harvey later told a church service that he was inclined to say nothing because the “Eucharist is not a place to divide us.