YOU can pick up a mistake and carry it as a burden; or you can set it down and use it as a stepping stone to greatness”. A google quote by, “who knows”, but I found it rather interesting and relevant to this article.
So, like most St. Lucians, I hear and see quite a few videos of our stories, our faux pas, our comedies and so many other sensational items created by us, yes St. Lucians. No one is exempt, so therefore, just like that the good priest AKA “Father Facts” became an overnight sensation with his Juke Bois persona but the version that’s saved and going to heaven at the drop of a dime. The real Juke Bois I’m sure may not be so lucky.
Afterall, even though I was raised as a Semm-Days, most of my classmates were staunch Roman Catholics and I can tell you that every single one of those classmates thought that the Catholic sermons were sleep provoking and sombre to say the least. I knew all the call-songs and the responses through the mockery that was reenacted after the long masses every weekend. Notwithstanding that the method of service delivery within the walls of the Catholic churches have changed over the last decade or so, the evolution of “Father Facts” has seen, I believe, a return to church in higher numbers and a stronger appreciation for relatable sermons and services. The people love him, they say it all over the place, you hear their opinions reverberating across the catholic parishioners. Many of them believe that he has brought a new way of winning souls to the religious table. He says it like it is, he calls sin by its name and those who are guilty have refrained from receiving holy communion consciously. Parishioners can leave mass with a renewed sense of hope and options on how they can live better with their families, friends and even neighbours.
Of course, as with anything else, the naysayers are always gainfully employed and will let everyone know their thoughts. They say that Father Facts is too liberal for the Catholic faith. That he is off-kilter and that he likes too much ro-ro. Some of them have protested for him to be removed from their parishes due to his loud and bold-faced demeanour. I am sure he has heard all the negative talk about his style and his supposed involvement in the ways and things of the world. Afterall, I believe that there’s a scripture of sorts that speaks to being in the world, but not of the world. (Please don’t quote me, I stand corrected since I am but a mere sinner). Nevertheless, there are people who have problems with Father Facts and his stardom journey.
But the blessings from the Lord have not been enough for the good priest. The good priest has since tasted the fruit of celebrity. He has become a superstar of sorts and is currently heading into the zone of a catholic influencer if you will. But as the devil would have it, make no mistake, he is watching the good priest closely and hoping for the slip up that stardom most often brings. We all get into our heads sometimes and forget that we are human. We drink the juice of admiration and validation, and we spiral into ripples of waters unknown and then we lose our way. Well, it looks like the good priest, Father Facts did just that at the Groovy Soca Finals on July 6th, 2024.
The show began with a blast, the night was promising and the crowd, after being provoked, belted out their favourite and expected monarch. I was excited, people were smiling and having fun, Afterall its bacchanal time and the carnival spirit is restless. Everything seems to be going well. Presentations were being displayed, the artists were bringing their Agames, and it looked good for the organizers. Then the unbelievable happened!! “Father Facts”, the good priest was the main character in the presentation of Ricky T’s “Just Your Turn”. The pearls in my neck became heavy and tight and my anxiety took over. I was mortified. Was that Father Facts reiterating and endorsing the chauvinistic, sexually derogatory and disrespectfully charged lyrics against women, song? I was amazed at the good priest, and I am sure everyone else listening was traumatized by the occurrence. He went on to ask everyone to repeat the tagline “de ting eh yours, it’s just your turn”. Afterall, if Father Facts wanted an acting gig. He could have acted for “Throw me down seven times, ah getting up eight” or even a part in Damn Proud Lucian, but no. I know what some of you will say, that it was just an act for the fun of it. No, it was not!
You see, as a priest who goes somewhat against the grain, he has been known to celebrate and support the culture and that’s all well and good, but when one gets in over one’s head, actions are devoid of reason and godliness. Father Facts lost his way that night and the same energy he uses to set the flock straight is the same energy I believe that the people should hold to his feet and demand a reparatory apology. I hope that the head of the catholic church, upon seeing the egregious action of Father Facts, would call him to repentance and then sanction him from preaching for the next six masses. Repentance comes with repercussions, so he needs to understand that he is not just an ordinary man but one called to serve through the teachings and the life lived by Jesus. He should not be caught dabbling and sitting in the seat of the scornful for lack of a better biblical reference.
Finally, I do believe in forgiveness and so does the St. Lucian people who I am sure have forgiven him whole-heartedly. We therefore await the period of atonement to be concluded before the good priest can resume the maypwee segment of mass. Until then, if the priest can have a lapse in judgement, who am I not to. There is still hope for me, although some will tell you that hope is a motorboat.
The moral of this story is, we all make mistakes because we are all human, however, the shepherds are assessed at a higher standard. That’s just the way it is. Father Facts you are expected to lead the sheep, not join them for slaughter. With love and compassion, we pray for your reinstatement.