ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC—Bishop Clive Harvey stated Monday that Roman Catholic priest Father Gerard Paul had “not been suspended due to what he had stated about Gaza” however for his continued “lack of respect” for the Church and his “pronouncements that usually stray from the reality.”
“I want to state…Father Gerard Paul had not been suspended due to what he stated about Gaza. His sentiments have been echoed by many out and in of the Catholic Church. The Church may be very involved and can proceed to talk out concerning the unjust conditions on the planet, together with Gaza, Ukraine, Haiti, and Sudan,” Bishop Harvey stated in a video assertion.
He stated the Church would proceed that coverage whereas actively caring for individuals “amid these conditions.”
He stated the priest had been suspended “due to his persevering with lack of respect for the Church of which he’s a priest and his pronouncements that usually stray from the reality.
The Trinidad-born Bishop stated that when Father Paul is challenged on his statements, “he doesn’t right his errors and doesn’t appear to care about such corrections.
“Lots of the responses within the media centered on Gaza and haven’t been capable of word the opposite points concerned. Over the previous ten days, Father Paul has expressed his views in ways in which mock authority; respect for authority is likely one of the pillars of civilized society.
“When such respect is undermined with out being addressed, the outcome may solely be a complete breakdown of society. This is applicable to all sectors.”
Bishop Harvey stated suspending a priest from ministry “is to not be confused with dismissal from the priesthood. Regardless of how lengthy it could be, Suspension all the time has a view of fraternal correction.
“We hope that Father Paul will hearken to that decision. Our diocese considers him a brother priest, and we’re prepared to help him in in search of the assistance he wants. We proceed to hope. However the risen Lord will information us within the days forward, Alleluia, Alleluia,” Bishop Harvey added.
Father Paul has not but responded to the most recent assertion by the Bishop. Nonetheless, earlier, the top of the Roman Catholic Church right here introduced the “rapid and indefinite” Suspension of the priest following his disagreement relating to, amongst different issues, the continuing battle in Gaza between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group in addition to criticism of the Church.
Bishop Harvey stated that the Suspension of Father Paul took impact on April 4, 2024.
“The Church has guidelines, clear expectations, and protections for the Individuals of God, enshrined within the Code of Canon Regulation and the atypical instructing of Popes and bishops,” stated
In a press release, the Bishop of the Diocese of St George’s added, “When Fr. Paul stated, ‘I’ve no regrets, and I’ll do it once more,’ he put himself past overview and fraternal correction.”
The controversy started on March 27, 2024, on the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, with subsequent statements made by Father Paul on numerous media platforms by which he accused the Church of not condemning the state of affairs in Gaza.
Father Paul stated at a current clergy retreat that the state of affairs was not talked about or addressed.
“I name upon the Church right now to get its freedom and to get its voice and converse up for justice,” the priest stated whereas calling the Gaza Warfare a ‘wholesale slaughter’ of Palestinians and Muslims.
“We can not rightly preach the Gospel if we don’t 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 monks, the voices of the bishops, the voices of the archbishops, the voice of the pope standing for justice. Once you stand in silence and sit in silence, you might be a part of this injustice within the identify of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit,’ the Grenadian-born Father Paul stated.
However Bishop Harvey later informed a church service that he was inclined to say nothing as a result of the “Eucharist shouldn’t be a spot to divide us.
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