‘Beware of gossip, false accusations’

FATHER Kennedy Swaratsingh, the priest who was almost ‘crucified’ before Easter, has asked people to be mindful not to nail others to the cross because of the “back biting, mauvais langue, gossip and false accusations”.

He continued, “We must be mindful of the ways in which we continue to place people in tombs because of our unwillingess to give others a chance.” Without any references, Father Swaratsingh pleaded with his parishioners of St Patrick’s RC Church, Newtown, to be careful how they proceed with their Godly duties, in the process mindful of the way they treat others.

Fr Swaratsingh was the centre of controversy over the last three weeks. Allegations were made and Archbishop Edward Gilbert stepped into the picture. He held a meeting with the parishioners at St Patrick’s RC Church last week, but only found a church fully behind their priest. Last Tuesday, the Archbishop ruled — the allegations against Fr Swaratsingh were unfounded and that he be allowed to continue at St Patrick’s.

Yesterday, Fr Swaratsingh led his parishioners up Lady Chancellor Hill, St Clair, for the annual Stations of the Cross procession. Unlike other churches and priests, he told his flock that he was not bringing along a huge cross, but asked parishioners to walk with small crosses. The walk began at the foot of Lady Chancellor Hill at 5.10 am and proceeded northwards. The place was quiet except for the barking dogs in the upscale neighbourhood. There were just over 100 parishioners when the journey started, but by the time it ended at 6.50 am, the figure had grown to more than 300. One of the persons taking part in the march was Donna Carter, former PNM Minister. BWIA President and CEO Conrad Aleong put aside the airline’s financial worries to participate for a brief period, while former Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier John Sandy joined the journey twards the end.

Fr Swaratsingh, who is also known as the “singing priest”, stopped and prayed at each of the 14 stations. There was a wide cross-section from the parish, young and old and Fr Swaratsingh kept asking if everyone was alright. There was a bit of humour on reaching the 13th station. The cross was missing and some parishioners had already moved ahead. Fr Swaratsingh jokingly said, “like somebody had use for it”.

Finally, the parishioners reached the 14th and final station at the top of Lady Chancellor Hill. In thanking everyone for coming, Fr Swaratsingh reflected a bit. “We must be mindful of the crosses we carry, we must mindful of the way we refuse to help others carry their crosses. We must be mindful that we refuse to show the face of Jesus to the world. We must be mindful that unlike Jesus, we refuse to carry our own crosses because of selfishness.” He continued, “We must be mindful of the times when unlike the women who wept for Jesus we refuse to care for those we meet on our life long journey. We must be mindful of the way we nail others to the cross because of back biting, mauvais langue, gossip and indeed false accusations. “We must be mindful of the ways in which we continue to place people in tombs because of our unwillingness to give others a chance.”