THE Good Friday procession of Roman Catholic faithfuls to the top of San Fernando Hill yesterday to re-enact the Crucifixion of Christ was the scene of an unholy tirade by a man who ran amok, spitting at Father Clyde Harvey, whom he called Satan.
The man beat and bit men who tried to subdue him but Fr Harvey never cowered in the face of the man’s outburst, instead calling on parishioners to pray for God’s messenger.
Father Harvey, parish priest of San Fernando stationed at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church on Harris Promenade, San Fernando, said Mario Noel was not "possessed" but mentally disturbed.
Dr Victor Coombs said Noel had suffered a "psychotic episode" and needed to be sedated for 24 to 48 hours in addition to receiving counselling.
It was Harvey’s words and songs that calmed Noel who at the end hugged Harvey, who invited the young man to visit with him at church.
Harvey told parishoners to "thank Mario for waking us up and bearing witness and giving testimony. Not the usual kind of testimony but one we have to hear nonetheless." [Source]
