Dear Grenadians:
I sent the following letter to the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint George’s in Grenada, Clyde Harvey, on Thursday, 19 March 2020 and I have not received a response thus far.
Then, just 3 days later, on Sunday, 22 March, Grenadians received the shocking news that we had registered our first case of Covid-19 in Grenada.
I have taken this next step of publicly posting my letter for the following 3 reasons:
- There has been no response or noted action by the Bishop on this grave matter. A related excerpt from the Bishop’s statement on Covid-19, dated 3 March 2020, is as follows: “Until further notice, communion should be given in the hand. The countries where the virus is already active, if they have not stopped mass altogether, have determined this to be the safest way. Communion on the tongue and by intinction is therefore suspended. The sharing of the cup is also suspended, except in very small groups.”
(Note well, the highlighting and bold type is exactly as written in the Bishop’s Statement signifying importance and urgency.) - It is this type of nonchalance by leaders (in this case a spiritual leader) that resulted in Italy’s Covid-19 recorded infections and death toll reaching more than 53,000 and more than 4,800, respectively (as at 22 March 2020). I urge everyone to take the time to read this well-written article titled ‘Italy, Pandemic’s New Epicentre, Has Lessons for the World’ from The New York Times.
- Grenadians need to wake up and proactively educate and protect themselves because the coronavirus is no respecter of persons or positions nor is “God a Grenadian” (the infamous statement by Grenadians before Hurricane Ivan hit us quite unprepared in 2004). If you have been following the news, religious leaders and political leaders are among the Covid-19 victims worldwide, as well. So, we the ordinary citizens need to educate ourselves and protect ourselves even if we have failings, such as is being shown here, by our spiritual leaders.
To educate yourself and stay abreast of what’s happening with Covid-19, you can visit the following local and international websites:
Covid-19 complaint – Blessed Sacrament Church at Grand Anse
Dear Bishop Harvey:
Firstly, I want to commend you for your responsible and timely leadership during this pandemic that resulted in the issuance of a message to ALL parishes about precautions that should be taken at each church in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Secondly, I would like to express my grave disappointment and anger with the irresponsible behaviour of the parish priest at the Blessed Sacrament Church in Grand Anse. I went to midday Mass today, Thursday, 19 March 2020 at that church and the priest administered the Holy Eucharist to a foreign woman on her tongue. His irresponsible behaviour meant that, since she was the first person to receive Holy Communion, everyone else who, thereafter, received Holy Communion in their hands was put at potential risk.
I met with the parish priest after Mass and reminded him that he is not supposed to be administering Holy Communion to persons on their tongue, as per the Bishop’s precautionary measures. He justified it by indicating to me that he cannot refuse someone communion if they do not want to take it in their hand. YES, HE CAN! The individual want is definitely not superior to the communal need for safety at this critical time.
It is irresponsible and selfish behaviours as displayed by this foreign woman and the parish priest, which will eventually lead to the spread of Covid-19 in Grenada. Everyone, including your irresponsible parish priest at Grand Anse, must be reminded to follow the mandates of the Bishop which are issued for the well-being of all.
Yours truly,
Concerned Catholic
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I note that this allegedly occurred on March 19. While the issue can be useful for religious, historical and other discussions, how relevant is it being posted on March 27? Hasn’t the Bishop issued further and overtaking directions (no public mass) since then? Before he responds substantively, he would have to at least investigate. It is my opinion, that a response on this issue could reasonably be put off for post-COVID-19. The Bishop ought to be as I am sure he is right now, taken up with pressing matters.
Maybe this matter could be reported to relevant health authorities, so if necessary, it can aid their investigations.
At least there ought to have been some level of courtesy and acknowledge the letter!
Ms. Noel, thank you for your understanding response.
We’re all screwed. Dumb shit like this will be our demise
If we believe this is Jesus blood and Jesus body , we have to believe as well we can’t get sick from the same body and blood .
Then why you don’t sign your first and last name as we doing now ? Because it seems you have something personal against the priest more than the matter it self .
Then the woman you talking about please tell us how you figure out she is foreign not a Grenadian ? Do you know her ,,? Please tell us her name or describe her for us please , she is a Grenadian and I know what makes you said she is a foreign woman ,
Any one can make a mistake so instead you make all that noise you can go and talk to the priest and am sure he will listen to you , but there is something else behind your later ,,,( something personal ) .
If you really care about public health there’s so many things we can talk about and am sure you seeing it every day all over the place .
Mr. Youssef, Jesus expects us to use common sense. My full name has been revealed in all my responses. I don’t know the woman and I don’t see how the specific details of the woman change the facts of the situation. Please read my article and you will see that: (1) the priest did not “make a mistake”; (2) that my first response was to speak with the parish priest after Mass. I can assure you that I have nothing personal against the parish priest in Grand Anse and you can ask him yourself. Maybe when the number of coronavirus cases rise in Grenada you will eventually realize that I really do care about public health; hence my string of progressive actions.
How did he receive the letter from you and how is he suppose to respond to you without a first an last name at the bottom with your signature? If someone sent me a letter, the first thing I will check to see who wrote to me and the address. If there is none of the above information I would be throwing out the letter and probably not even read it since it would be considered a waste of my time reading a letter from someone so brave but hides their identity. When we speak truth we have no reason to hide or nothing to fear, but when we seek attention we do foolishness like this. I also go to the Catholic Church. If I see something that would put myself or the other members at risks, for sure I would write the letter but I would be letting in other party know who the letter is coming from with no fear. Have a lovely weekend people and let’s continue to keep ourselves safe, less stressful thoughts and keep smiling
Ms. Monrose, I am certainly not a coward because I used the following three (3) mediums to send my letter and in all three (3) instances my real name was submitted in addition to my moniker “Concerned Catholic”:
(1) Cathedral Website: https://grenadacic.wixsite.com/grenadacic/contact
(2) Catholic Website: https://catholicgnd.org/contact/
(3) Cathedral email address: [email protected]
Even more worrying the Catholic Church still a thing black nations/communities . Haven’t they done enough to harm our vulnerable. I hope the same punishment is poured out onto him as to the bus operators who risk transmission by acting as all is normal and casually breaking the law.
Billy, thank you for reading the article.
How do you expect the Bishop to respond to a letter signed, “Concerned Catholic”? Who will he respond to? Only a coward will write a letter of concern and not sign it. I am sure if you had identified yourself he would have responded. I only write letters that I have the guts to sign. Blessings to you “Concerned Catholic”.
Lol
That is a major problem in the Catholic Church. Ignorance of the Church’s teachings.
The general rule of canon law is that “sacred ministers cannot deny the sacraments to those who seek them at appropriate times, are properly disposed, and are not prohibited by law from receiving them”; and “any baptized person not prohibited by law can and must be admitted to holy communion”.
Mr. Roberts, canon law will not prevent the spread of COVID-19. As you have indicated, it is “…the general rule”. However, these are extraordinary times. So I am pretty sure that “…the general rule” would not be applicable in these extraordinary times that we are living in with the new coronavirus. Patient 31 (with the coronavirus) in Hong Kong went to 2 Masses shortly before being tested positive and is right now responsible for infecting approximately 5,000 people (60% of those infected with the coronavirus in Hong Kong). Clearly, canon law did not save her or the 5,000+ from being infected.
This once again shows the blatant disregard of the welfare of the parishioners by religious leaders who seem to be removed from any kind of suffering!!! It doesn’t take an expert to realise the worse hit countries in Europe ar the ones with the largest Catholic population!!! Grenadians must take control of their destiny on this matter and prayer at home and with their families while staying safe. When this is over we will ALL gather to give thanks!!!
Mr. Gardner, thank you for your common sense response.