Departing Bishop sees Grenada as lacking in “truth and trust”

Catholic Bishop’s eight-year tenure in Grenada officially came to an end on Tuesday (June 09, 2026) as Pope Leo XIV announced his acceptance of the resignation.

Upon reaching the age of 75 on November 09, 2023 and in keeping with the mandatory retirement age, the Most Reverend Bishop Clyde Harvey submitted his retirement letter to the Vatican which was then led by Pope Francis. However, he was asked to continue in office until January 31, 2026, pending a successor.

While a successor has not been named, Archbishop: the Most Reverend Gabriel Malzaire of Saint Lucia has been appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of St George’s-in-Grenada until a new Bishop is appointed.

The Archbishop is expected to arrive in Grenada tomorrow (Saturday) and is scheduled to be at the Marian Shrine, Battle Hill, for the monthly devotion on Sunday (June 14) at 3:00 pm.

In a video message, the Archbishop asked the faithful to pray for Bishop Harvey as he goes into retirement. He said, “As I undertake what I hope would be a short stint, for the people of the diocese of Grenada during this time of transition and for the speedy announcement of a new Bishop according to God’s own heart.”

The outgoing Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Saint George’s has admitted that while he failed to fulfill the charge given to him at his 2017 ordination in Grenada, he now sees the task to revitalize the local catholic church as now resting on his successor.

When asked by The Grenadian Voice if he thinks he has accomplished the charge of Archbishop Robert Rivas of Castries, Saint Lucia that included to “Teach, sanctify and lead with a shepherd’s heart,” His Lordship Bishop Clyde Martin Harvey confessed “No, I am not going to fool myself on that.”

He however acknowledged “I have sowed seeds which I hope will flourish and bear fruit but I think I am at a point where I think I know what Grenada needs, but it is for someone else to bring that to fruition.”

In reflection, the Trinidadian 77-year-old Bishop Harvey cited “truth and trust, and people willing to do the work of the church. A lot of people talk; but they do not do the work.”

He explained, “Truth, especially in a world where the bigger powers think this is not important, and trust if we are to walk together in unity.”

Bishop Harvey added, “We can’t build a society on mistrust which is very much part of our politics especially when we get into an election year. I think Grenada has a powerful future if we walk in truth and learn how to trust each other.”

In addressing crime and violence among the youth, Bishop Harvey in an interview in February said he felt accountable saying, “…I feel a deep sense of responsibility for the Grenada that I am leaving…I have failed miserably to inspire men to be responsible for what other men are doing and what young men are going through.”

To address this, in speaking with this newspaper this week he suggested that more boys should join the Scouts and Cadets movement and the formation of more groups targeting teenage boys. He however warned that the task is great as “they are up against a world that is telling them a different story to what I would say as a Christian leader.”

While he publicly faced some unforeseen challenges in his tenure, the Bishop said he is “grateful” for the time spent here, “even in the midst of difficulties God teaches you a lot, and God has taught me a lot.”

In a prior interview, he shared the challenges and disappointments experienced here which included “understanding the modus operandi of priesthood in Grenada and being insulted on the streets.” For several weeks in 2024, he even faced public criticisms from Father Gerard Paul, who has since been placed on indefinite suspension, where he accused the Bishop and the Catholic church of remaining silent on issues, notably the ongoing war against the Palestinians in Gaza.

Nevertheless, focusing on the main lessons learnt, Bishop Harvey stated “never respond to negativity with hate even if people seem not to like you, love can have a positive effect so more people can turn away from the bitterness.” And, “Don’t sow seeds of anger, bitterness and hate to encourage others to do likewise, which later destroys the country and themselves.”

Therefore, he encouraged citizens to continue being positive saying, “Don’t give up on being your best self and Grenada will become its best self.”

With his resignation now accepted, he departs Grenada next Wednesday. In responding to what’s next for him, Bishop Harvey who has been a priest for 50 years told this newspaper, “I am taking a rest and what happens thereafter is up to God.”

Noting that the appointment of a new bishop “is underway,” Archbishop Malzaire explained that his new role here in the meantime is to, “Ensure the continued governance and pastoral care of the diocese during the transition period.”

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