When he was eight years old, he wanted to become a jockey. When he turned 17, he considered getting married to the girl he thought he loved.Today, at 69, he holds the esteemed title of the tenth Co-adjutor Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Port-of-Spain-the second local to be appointed to that position.Father Joseph Everand Harris, who was appointed by Pope Benedict the XVI on July 8, and who will officially replace outgoing Archbishop Edward Gilbert on December 26, is by no means an ordinary man.In every way an overcomer, he sees himself as a servant of God. And while his achievements are many, he admits that they did not come easy.
Born in Arouca, in "an extremely religious family," the St Mary's College alumnus, who suffers with a speech impediment, vividly remembers the days when he would be taunted while preaching his sermons."People would come to church and sit in the front row just to laugh at me. Back then, I stammered far worse and I had an awful shake in my hands," he recalled during an interview."But I have overcome. Thanks be to God."A good priest, he believes, must possess the same qualities of a good husband."Selflessness, generosity, the need to be a prayerful person and the ability to think of the other and stay the course even when things get rough."
That something
The holder of a master of arts degree in Religious Spirituality and a doctorate in Church Administration, it's hard to believe that Father Harris also seriously considered pursuing a career in law, as suggested by his father, who was a head teacher.
"But there was always something at the back of my head saying I had to be a priest." His decision to listen to that "something" would change his life forever.Today, Father Harris says he has no regrets."Absolutely none!" he assured. Joining the Holy Ghost Fathers as a young man, he immersed himself into the priesthood, migrating to Ireland to study Philosophy.His passion to carry out God's work took him across the globe. However, it was during a mission in Paraguay he said, "made me into a priest."
"We had a mission the size of Trinidad! At that time, there was a very severe prosecution on the church. The army moved into one of the villages we looked after, desecrating the chapel and arresting the men...I had to hide because I was told that they were looking for me too. But by God's grace I was protected," he reminisced."But I will always be extremely grateful to the people of Paraguay. It was the first time that I experienced being loved for me and not for anything else. I developed a self-confidence which I did not have."
Achieve ecumenism
The Parish Priest of the St Ann's Roman Catholic Church, Port-of-Spain, admitted that here at home, the task that lies ahead is a challenging one. But too whom much is given, much is expected.His first order of business-revitalising the Catholic Church."I do not think the Catholic Church in T&T has seen our mission of being that agent of harmony in this divided society," he told the T&T Guardian.Another goal of this Archbishop-elect is to achieve ecumenism, as he believes "that is what God wants."
When he is ordained Archbishop of Port-of-Spain on September 14, Father Harris will be requesting some very unique symbols on his Coat of Arms. They include the instrument of a carpenter, "because of my name Joseph. A steelpan, a tassa drum and a chac-chac."In his spare time, Father Harris, a humble and down-to-earth man, enjoys animal husbandry and the simple things in life. He wakes every morning at 4.30, and after going to the chapel to pray, he makes a breakfast fit for a priest-a bowl of porridge and a thermos full of his favourite South American beverage, Yerba Mate."It goes down really good!" he assured, as I stared at the green stuff in his cup with skepticism.
