By Sue-Ann Wayow
FORMER principal of St Mary’s College Fr Anthony de Verteuil says he is today a happy man having forgiven the pupil who hit another on the head back in 1992.
Fr de Verteuil was speaking during mass at the Living Water Community Chapel at Frederick St, Port of Spain on Saturday.
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Just before he began to speak of the incident that has found its way in the public domain since Prime Minister Stuart Young took his oath of office, de Verteuil mentioned a proverb that states, “The man who wields the sword of vengeance will be the first wounded by the sword.”
Delivering messages of love, forgiveness and compassion, he said the great joy of forgiving was what he experienced 33 years ago.
Fr de Verteuil said, “One boy clubbed another on the head. After investigating, I can say that in the interest of justice and of compassion. I did not suspend him. I did not expel him. I did not stop him from doing his exams. I did not punish him in any way. I placed no record of the incident on the files. I was happy to acknowledge him as a St Mary’s College boy in good standing, the joy of being obliged I can say to forgive.”
But he added, “Today, 33 years later, in the interest of politics, the incident has been resurrected. Once more I have the happiness of forgiveness. It is in this falsified version of the events that those who lied, those who slandered, those who culminated those who led into error, persons who were eager to see evil, I forgive you all.”
“All,” the priest emphasised.
He also prayed that God forgive them as well and prayed that God enlighten their minds.
