Harvey: Not easy to be a Catholic these days

FATHER Clyde Harvey yesterday called for prayer for the Catholic Church as they face their issues of misconduct and irresponsibility within the institution. The San Fernando parish priest made the call as he led thousands up the San Fernando Hill for the traditional Good Friday Stations of the Cross.

The sunrise service drew a crowd of approximately 3,000 worshippers, who braved the intermittent rain for the traditional religious observance. The two-hour march to the hilltop culminated with a series of intercessory prayers for the ills affecting society. During this time, Father Harvey asked the gathering to remember in their prayers the Catholic Church as they undergo their various problems. He appealed to worshippers : “It is not easy to be a Catholic these days, it is not easy to be a Christian, but we need to show the world what brings us together. We pray for the universal and local church as we continue to face various problems..issues of priestly irresponsibility and misconduct..Pray that the church remains truthful to the teachings of Jesus Christ”.

Father Harvey also expressed his personal sadness on the church’s troubles when, he said, there was much work to be done in society. Asked by reporters to comment of the clearing of Father Kennedy Swaratsingh of  allegations, he told reporters: “It is  very very sad. I feel very saddened we have a world at war, we have a nation adrift (but) one or two of our priests have had some very difficult experiences and the only thing that makes the headlines that is Catholic is the theatrics of a priest in a parish. The church has a much more important, much more difficult role to play in this country than to be getting into that type of headlines. I feel sad and I hope that we could really get down to the work that is the work of the church.” 

Another focus for prayer  was the crime situation, and placards bearing messages of topical issues such as : “Never again War”, “No to violence, yes to peace”, “Speed kills, stop the carnage”, “Jesus fell but didn’t stay down”, and others with political undertones “Corruption always stinks”, and “politics can be honest”, were held high throughout the march. Father Harvey lamented that society seems to be accustomed to the evil which exists. He said: “We are so accustomed to kidnappings, gang rape, drugs, murder, incompetence and inefficiency. In other words we are becoming accustomed to evil and that can never be right”. Father Harvey remembered in prayer the nation’s leaders and protective services, “so that they may not cower to the problem but lead the nation thoughout his struggle”. He also pleaded for prayer for criminals who may be plotting and planning crimes to execute on the innocent during this religious holiday season.