Bishop Harvey admits to mistakes ahead of Grenada exit

2026-02-22 - 01:27

Lead Editor – Newsgathering ryan.bachoo@cnc3.co.tt As outspoken Trinidadian Bishop Clyde Harvey prepares to demit office in Grenada, he admitted he’s made a few errors in his nine years in the diocese. Harvey sat down with Good News Catholic Communication for an interview last Thursday, in which he said he felt he should have asked more questions when he assumed the role of Bishop of St George’s in June 2017. He said, “I think I made one or two fundamental mistakes. I didn’t ask enough questions about the state of the diocese.” Harvey’s stewardship in Grenada was marred by a controversy surrounding one of his priests, Father Gerard Paul. In April 2024, Paul was suspended from all priestly ministry indefinitely for his “persistent attacks on the Catholic Church and its leadership.” He remains suspended. The Trinidadian, who is known for being vocal about social issues and for his advocacy, would not dive too deep into the Paul matter, only saying that it is sub judice since it is before the courts in Rome. He admitted to being insulted by some during his time in Grenada. However, Harvey was candid about other aspects of his leadership in the spice isle. He stated, “I have come to see very clearly that Christianity and the priesthood of Jesus Christ is not about being loved and doing everything right and making no mistakes, Christianity is about doing the will of the Lord wherever the Lord puts you, and that is not easy.” When asked about his biggest disappointment over the last nine years, Harvey answered, “I was not told certain things when I came. I was not made aware that a lot of my own perceptions were wrong. Very wrong. I had to learn that the hard way.” When asked to elaborate, he added, “I was already because of my work in Trinidad, dealing with a church in transition, a church that we now call synodality, where everybody has a voice. When I came to Grenada, I realised that a lot of people, clergy and laity, didn’t want that. They wanted the priest to tell them what to do, and when you were asking about how we should do this or that, people just shut up.” He said he doesn’t believe Grenada is a Christian country as yet, especially when he references the Bible and compares it to the way Grenadians speak. He said one of his shortcomings during his time in Grenada was forming boys and men. He said he had “failed miserably.” However, Harvey also hit out at the faithful, adding, “The clarion call must go out to Catholics, because Catholics are too satisfied with the church doing things for them, and they don’t have a sense of being called and sent to do certain things.” His work in Grenada is set to come to an end in the coming months, though Pope Leo XIV is yet to appoint a successor. Harvey hopes to continue making a meaningful contribution to the church in Grenada, but he admits he will give the new Bishop space and time. He revealed that Grenadian priests are among the list the Pope is looking at in order to select a new Bishop.