Father Gerard Paul, a 64-year-old priest from Grenada, has turned to calypso music as a means of public expression following his suspension from priestly duties. Paul was indefinitely suspended in April 2024 after delivering a sermon that criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza, though church leadership later stated the suspension was due to what they characterized as persistent disrespect toward the church and its authority rather than his comments on the conflict itself.
Paul first encountered calypso while studying in a seminary in Trinidad and Tobago in 1988, when he placed second in a seminary competition. After decades focused on his priestly responsibilities, he resumed engaging with the genre following his suspension. He has since recorded two songs: “Oh Gaza,” which addresses the Israeli military offensive in Gaza, and “Ah Want Ah Radar,” a satirical piece referencing a U.S. request to install military radar at Grenada’s airport. The latter song uses metaphorical language to critique what Paul views as misconduct and cover-ups within the Catholic clergy, while appealing for greater transparency.
Paul made his competitive calypso debut this year at Spicemas, Grenada’s major carnival celebration, advancing to the finals where he is scheduled to compete against ten other performers using the stage name “Father Paul.” In interviews, Paul has characterized calypso as functioning as an alternative “pulpit,” allowing him to reach a broader audience than his previous role permitted. He emphasized that while he valued his interactions with congregants during his priesthood, the genre provides greater freedom to address social issues he considers important.
The suspension was formally announced by then-Bishop Clyde Harvey, who stated that Paul’s conduct had “confused, harmed and scandalized” members of the faith community and brought fellow clergy into disrepute. Harvey noted that the suspension did not constitute dismissal from the priesthood itself. Paul has maintained he holds no regrets regarding his sermon and indicated his willingness to make similar statements in the future.
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