Attack on St Lucia Archbishop

Jonathan Joseph, 28, is accused of trying to assassinate Archbishop Felix last Thursday, when he tried to slit the throat of the Roman Catholic official whose life was saved by his Roman Collar.

The prosecutor told the court that officials at the Golden Hope Hospital had confirmed that Joseph was an outpatient and had been released from prison last January after serving time for an undisclosed offence.

Magistrate Robert Innocent agreed with the recommendation from the prosecution that the accused undergo a psychological evaluation before he enters a plea.

“Because of the lack of security at Golden Hope Hospital arrangements will be made that the accused be remanded at Bordelais (prison) where doctors will do an evaluation,” Innocent said. The charges against the accused were not read out on Wednesday and the matter has been adjourned to May 9.

In a statement yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony condemned the alleged attack saying that no excuse would be adequate.

“Many explanations will be offered for this senseless act. None must be allowed to justify what is clearly a reprehensible act. There must not be a tolerance of any hatred in our community and society,” he said.

Archbishop Felix said the assassination attempt might have been fuelled by the sermons against the Roman Catholic Church delivered by other religious organisations on the island.