Gilbert clears the air

Roman Catholic Arch-bishop Edward Gilbert yesterday refuted reports of a “plot” against the Catholic Church which was the headline in two daily newspapers based on statements he made while delivering the sermon at La Divina Pastora Church in Siparia.

He told Newsday that at the meeting of Bishops in St Lucia last week, the Bishop of Grenada spoke of statements made by a member of one of the Christian religions in Grenada that it was going to become the major Church in the Caribbean.

Gilbert said the regional Bishops “took note” but were not “particularly concerned.”

During his sermon Gilbert said he used what the Grenadian bishop had said to encourage people to be strong in their faith and be aware of the threats within and from outside the Church.

He also stated yesterday that he had “no position” regarding the visit by US evangelist Benny Hinn.

He also noted that religion is voluntary and people are free to respond to “revelations” and things happening in other churches.

He made this remark in response to a question about whether the local RC church had lost members to other faiths.

“All the main line churches have lost members to the Pentecostal faith or other small churches,” he said.

He added that the Catholic Church tried to present a “varied menu” but it was up to each person to “hang in or move on.”