Thousands at Siparee Mai

ARCHBISHOP of Port-of-Spain Edward Gilbert yesterday refuted statements which were made recently at a conference held in Grenada, that certain Christian churches were attempting to take over the Caribbean.

Gilbert jumped to the church’s defence on the allegations while delivering the homily during “Siparee Mai” celebrations at the La Divina Pastora Roman Catholic church in Siparia.

“I attended a bishops’ conference in Grenada recently...we were told that certain Christian churches are attempting to take over the Caribbean...we don’t think so,” Gilbert told the gathering.

He also urged the people in attendance to stand up for their faith and publicly resist the ones responsible for saying they are going to take over the Caribbean.

“Take care of your parishes, people. Stand up for what you believe in. You must publicly resist those who are trying to state publicly that they are going to take over the Caribbean. There must be harmony,” he insisted.

The Archbishop revealed that he has lost five priests to death within the past eight months. “Two more are about to undergo surgeries and three more are expected to leave our parishes.”

On that note, he urged parish priests to make it their duty to care for the church and its members.

Gilbert announced that there were 37 young adults who were currently considering joining the priesthood. Their applications are being processed.

Following the sermon which ended at 11 am, the procession began with the statue of La Divina Pastora leading the procession through the main streets of Siparia and then back to the church.

The procession which saw dozens of policemen present to ensure law and order, ended an hour later. The statue of La Divina Pastora will stay in a small niche at the church. The statue, which is really a bust placed on a stand, is bronze-coloured and adorned with gold and silver jewelry, flowers and rosaries which were left as gifts by the faithful.