SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A suspended Catholic priest on a tiny Caribbean island is embracing calypso to make his voice heard on topics including Gaza and ***** ual abuse within the church.
Father Gerard Paul, who hails from Grenada, can no longer officiate masses, funerals, weddings or baptisms after repeatedly criticizing the church and clergy. But that hasn't stopped him from preaching via the lilting rhythms of calypso, an Afro-Caribbean music genre known for its witty lyrics and satirical social commentary.
"It's a kind of pulpit for me," Paul told The ***** ociated Press in a phone interview this week.
The 64-year-old priest made his debut this year at Spicemas, Grenada's biggest soca and calypso carnival. Like many annual carnivals across the Caribbean, it celebrates rebellion against enslavement. Paul sang his way into the finals and is scheduled to compete as "Father Paul" against 10 other singers this weekend, including "Killa B" and "Sour Serpent."
Paul joined the seminary 40 years ago and has been a priest for 32 years: "I was always concerned about the plight of the masses, so I saw the church as a vehicle for societal change."
#calypso #including #year
Father Gerard Paul, who hails from Grenada, can no longer officiate masses, funerals, weddings or baptisms after repeatedly criticizing the church and clergy. But that hasn't stopped him from preaching via the lilting rhythms of calypso, an Afro-Caribbean music genre known for its witty lyrics and satirical social commentary.
"It's a kind of pulpit for me," Paul told The ***** ociated Press in a phone interview this week.
The 64-year-old priest made his debut this year at Spicemas, Grenada's biggest soca and calypso carnival. Like many annual carnivals across the Caribbean, it celebrates rebellion against enslavement. Paul sang his way into the finals and is scheduled to compete as "Father Paul" against 10 other singers this weekend, including "Killa B" and "Sour Serpent."
Paul joined the seminary 40 years ago and has been a priest for 32 years: "I was always concerned about the plight of the masses, so I saw the church as a vehicle for societal change."
#calypso #including #year
3 months ago
