Article A12 · Book 1 · Scrapbook page p.11
I am not playing any mas' — priest
REV. FR. MICHAEL PASCALL, Parish Priest of the Cedros, Icacos area, has said that he will not be playing mas' with a 400-strong Carnival band of protestors which will come from his parish to Port-of-Spain on Carnival Monday.
The "News" reported on Tuesday that Fr. Pascall intends to lead the band. He now says that this is a misconception.
SIR : — I would like to refer to an article given front page prominence under the caption "R.C. Priest to lead Mas' Band" appearing in your issue of Tuesday 20th.
The headline is most untrue, and to say the least, humiliating, embarrassing and a great source of distress not only to me personally but to my Parishioners and the Catholic community in general, and particularly so, as I had stressed to your reporters the fact that I was not playing.
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At no time was it my intention to play mas' either in this band or any other band. This fact can be supported by the entire parish of Cedros and particularly by those who are actively taking part in the band "Our Neglected Cedros."
THE VILLAGERS
With respect to my seeking the Archbishop's permission, I did make it clear to your reporters that I was not playing mas' or leading a band, but merely giving assistance to my Parishioners in their effort, and consequently the question of seeking the Archbishop's permission never arose.
The idea of bringing out such a band to highlight the needs of Cedros originated from the villagers themselves. Unfortunately, there was no one there with all the necessary means to organise this band, to collect necessary money and prizes and arrange transportation.
As the Parish Priest of the district I was approached. The move had and still has my sympathy and I became involved to the extent of helping them in this direction. I believe as a priest that I should be concerned not only with the spiritual but also the social and economic needs of my Parishioners.