Fr Harvey to meet ‘troubled’ Mario again

Roman Catholic priest, Father Clyde Harvey, has indicated a desire to meet with the young man who unexpectedly ran amok during the annual Good Friday pilgrimage at the San Fernando Hill. The drama started as Father Harvey, parish priest of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish, Harris Promenade, San Fernando, was about to begin the Good Friday sermon after completing the trek up the hill in re-enactment of the Stations of the Cross depicting Christ’s passion leading to his crucifixion.

When a young man identified as Mario Noel allegedly spat on Father Harvey and, in an agitated voice began screaming at the crowd. He was later subdued after intercessory prayers were offered for him by the large congregation. In an interview yesterday, Father Harvey once again reiterated that the incident was a wake up call for all segments of society to start addressing its numerous social ills.

“There are too many young men who are close to the edge and no one seems able or willing to help and it is time to stop casting aspersions on these individuals and begin a serious plan to help them and their families,” he said. He also said that Government’s mental health services were in need of drastic change to deal with the increasing incidents of depression and other mental illnesses. Father Harvey said a meeting was also being planned to meet with Noel and his family after the Easter holidays.