Father Gerard Paul, a 64-year-old priest from Grenada, has turned to calypso performance as a platform following his indefinite suspension from priestly duties. The musician made his debut this year at Spicemas, Grenada’s major carnival celebration, and is competing in the finals scheduled for this weekend under the performance name “Father Paul.”
Paul was suspended two years ago following a sermon in which he criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza. During the March 2024 service at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in St. George’s, he called on church leadership to speak out on matters of justice. Bishop Clyde Harvey responded by criticizing the sermon as a “diatribe” and noted that Paul had not received permission to make such statements. Harvey later clarified that the suspension stemmed not specifically from Gaza commentary, which he acknowledged exists within and outside the Catholic Church, but from what he characterized as Paul’s persistent disrespect toward church authority and failure to accept correction.
Paul, who joined the seminary four decades ago and served as a priest for 32 years, has recorded two songs: “Oh Gaza” and “Ah Want Ah Radar.” The latter uses satirical commentary on a U.S. military radar installation request at Grenada’s airport, with Paul humorously requesting his own radar that he says he would use to expose sexual abuse within the clergy. His lyrics reference celibacy requirements while making explicit commentary on documented abuse cases within the church.
The priest described calypso as functioning as “a kind of pulpit” that allows him to reach audiences beyond what his previous role permitted. He noted that while he appreciated aspects of priestly work and interaction with his congregation, the format now enables wider communication of his message. Paul has emphasized the importance of speaking out on justice issues, stating during his controversial sermon that silence constitutes complicity in injustice.
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