Following a recent incident involving a priest being restrained and robbed at a church in Trinidad, another cleric has pointed to the decline in familial values as a contributing factor to the rising crime rates.
According to an article in Trinidad and Tobago Newsday, the crime occurred shortly after 1 AM on November 24 at St Benedict’s Roman Catholic Church located in the community of La Romaine. The victim, 69-year-old Father Derek Anton of St James, along with a 22-year-old security officer from Point Fortin, was targeted during the break-in.
The article said that police reports showed the security guard was on duty when he observed five masked intruders dressed in dark clothing, who then forced their way into the security post
While two of the suspects remained with the security guard, the remaining three proceeded to the church’s administration building, where they ransacked the office. The burglars then moved to the priests’ quarters, where they found Fr Anton asleep.
T &T newsday stated they awakened the priest a restrained him, and stole his cellphone, wallet containing approximately $170, and a sum of cash from the previous day’s collections. Afterward, the suspects fled the scene.
Law enforcement was called to the property later, where they found a hole in the wire fence, and an envelope containing cash was recovered behind the building.
The paper reports that it spoke to another priest, Fr Jayson Grell, who was at the site.
The article quoted him on the pattern of violence against clergy, emphasizing that it underscores broader societal issues.
“There is a breakdown in family values. We have to find ways to strengthen the family. If the family is broken, then we will find a lot of these things happening,” Grell said. Grell stated.
Grell, said Newsday, a resident priest in San Fernando, expressed concern about the proliferation of home invasions, kidnappings, and other violent crimes, attributing these to a collapse in traditional family structures. He highlighted that such issues are not confined to Trinidad and Tobago but are prevalent across the Caribbean and worldwide.
He reportedly stressed the importance of reverting to gospel principles, urging parents to play a more active role in nurturing their children from a young age.
Grell also lamented the decline of critical thinking and reading in modern society, questioning whether technological advancements have contributed positively or negatively to family life.
He called for collective introspection, emphasizing that rebuilding society’s moral fabric requires shared responsibility—not just government intervention.
The Archdiocese of Port of Spain issued a brief statement on November 25, confirming that Fr Anton and the security guard were victims of the robbery. They noted that the incident had been reported to police and was now under active investigation.
As of now, no arrests have been made. The investigation is being led by PC Mahadeo of the San Fernando Police Station.
The write-up added that this marks the latest in a series of crimes targeting members of the clergy in Trinidad and Tobago.
