Father Gerard Paul, a Grenadian priest suspended from active ministry in April 2024, has turned to calypso music to voice criticism of the war in Gaza and to allege sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. He reached the finals at Spicemas with songs including "Oh Gaza" and "Ah Want Ah Radar," which mix political commentary and pointed accusations. Bishop Clyde Harvey said Paul’s suspension followed repeated public attacks and disrespect toward church authority; the suspension remains in effect two years on.
Suspended Grenadian Priest Uses Calypso as a New 'Pulpit' to Call Out Gaza Violence and Church Abuse
Father Gerard Paul, who can no longer officiate masses, funerals, weddings or baptisms after repeatedly criticizing the church and clergy, rehearses with the Royal Grenada Police Force Band in St. George, Grenada, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Floyd Robinson)(AP Photo/Flyd Robinson)
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Father Gerard Paul, a 64-year-old priest from Grenada who has been suspended from active ministry, is turning to calypso music to broadcast his views on the war in Gaza and alleged sexual abuse within the Catholic Church.
From the Altar to the Carnival Stage
Unable to celebrate Mass, officiate funerals, perform weddings or conduct baptisms after repeated public criticisms of church leaders, Paul says calypso's rhythmic, satirical form has become "a kind of pulpit" for him. He returned to the genre this year at Spicemas, Grenada's largest soca and calypso carnival, and advanced to the finals performing as "Father Paul." He is set to compete against 10 other singers, including performers billed as "Killa B" and "Sour Serpent."
A Longstanding Connection to Calypso
Paul first encountered calypso in 1988 while in the seminary in Trinidad and Tobago, when he placed second in a seminary calypso contest. He joined the seminary 40 years ago and has served as a priest for 32 years, describing the church originally as a vehicle to address "the plight of the masses." After his suspension two years ago, he resumed performing and has recorded two songs so far: "Oh Gaza" and "Ah Want Ah Radar."
Father Gerard Paul, back center, who can no longer officiate masses, funerals, weddings or baptisms after repeatedly criticizing the church and clergy, rehearses with Royal Grenada Police Force Band in St. George, Grenada, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Floyd Robinson)(AP Photo/Flyd Robinson)
"When you're in a small world, you feel that's the whole world. As a much bigger world opens to you, you can't go back," Paul said in a phone interview with The Associated Press.
The Songs and Their Messages
"Oh Gaza" is a biting commentary on the Israeli military offensive in Gaza, which the Gaza Health Ministry says has killed more than 73,000 people. In the song Paul sings of deaths "while Zion drums beat and missiles pound," and says he sings because "when the Church would not take a stance, I go preach, I go preach."
"Ah Want Ah Radar" riffs on a reported U.S. request to install radar at Grenada's international airport after U.S. forces struck vessels suspected of trafficking drugs. The song criticizes the government's delay and notes a radar was later installed in nearby Tobago. Paul even addresses then-U.S. President Donald Trump in the lyrics, saying he would use a radar to expose alleged sexual abuse inside the church. The track contains explicit lines that accuse some clergy of engaging in sexual misconduct; these are presented in the song as Paul’s allegations.
Suspension and Church Response
Paul's public criticism escalated after a March 2024 sermon at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in St. George's, where he denounced Israel and accused it of genocide in Gaza — an allegation Israel rejects. Video of that sermon was posted by local investigative program The Bubb Report, and footage originally posted by Good News Catholic Communications (an arm of the Diocese of St. George’s) was later deleted.
Father Gerard Paul, who can no longer officiate masses, funerals, weddings or baptisms after repeatedly criticizing the church and clergy, rehearses with Royal Grenada Police Force Band in St. George, Grenada, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Floyd Robinson)(AP Photo/Flyd Robinson)
On April 4, 2024, then-Bishop Clyde Harvey suspended Paul indefinitely. In a statement the bishop accused Paul of "persistent" attacks on the church and its leadership that "have confused, harmed and scandalized many faith-filled persons" and of bringing fellow clergy into disrepute. Harvey said the suspension was for Paul's continuing lack of respect for church authority and his failure to correct what the bishop called errors, not specifically for voicing criticism about Gaza; he also emphasized the suspension was not a dismissal from the priesthood.
Despite the bishop's clarification, Paul remained suspended two years later and continues to use calypso to reach a broader audience beyond the church pews.
Reporting: Gibbs reported from Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.
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