Bishop Boyd Issues Charge to the 122nd Session of the Diocesan Synod

The Rt. Rev. Laish Z. Boyd, Sr., Bishop of the Diocese of The Bahamas and The Turks and Caicos Islands, delivered a two-part Charge to delegates of the 122nd Session of the Diocesan Synod, convened under the theme “Family Matters.”

Part One of the Bishop’s Charge was delivered during the Opening Eucharist at Christ Church Cathedral on Monday, October 20, 2025, while Part Two was delivered the following day during business sessions at the Holy Trinity Activities Centre in Stapledon Gardens.

Part I: National Issues

Bishop Boyd began the 122nd Synod with a moment of reflection in honour of the late Archbishop Drexel Wellington Gomez, whom he described as “a lecturer, scholar, and academician” and “a man who knew human frailty, compassion, and redemption by grace.” The Bishop offered prayers for the Archbishop’s family and all who mourn his passing.

In setting the tone for the week, Bishop Boyd declared the Synod officially open and urged delegates to remember the Diocese’s identity and purpose as “the Church, the Body of Christ, gathered in God’s name to do God’s work.” He celebrated the vibrancy and diversity of diocesan life while calling attention to the need for continued growth, accountability, and improvement.

Addressing pressing social issues, Bishop Boyd devoted significant portions of his Charge to the state of healthcare, social welfare, governance, and moral leadership across both The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. He commended those in the healthcare sector who serve faithfully but noted systemic challenges that have left too many citizens underserved. He called for expanded access to national health insurance, better working conditions, and renewed professional standards within public healthcare.

Turning to governance, Bishop Boyd congratulated the Progressive National Party (PNP) on its electoral victory in the Turks and Caicos Islands and urged all political leaders—both there and in The Bahamas—to approach public service with humility and integrity. He renewed his call for campaign finance reform and greater transparency in public life, noting, “It is wrong for money to control the outcome of an election or the future of a country.”

Two major themes emerged throughout his address: the need for maturity in national discourse and empathy in leadership.

“Leadership means creating an environment where we can properly discuss, dissect, and understand complex real issues amid disagreements,” Bishop Boyd said. “We must keep the level of dialogue high, real, issue-based, and driven by national development.”

He also challenged leaders to prioritize the greater good and to remain mindful of how decisions today will affect generations to come.

The Bishop emphasized the importance of both physical and mental health, encouraging citizens to take better care of their bodies and minds and to show compassion to those struggling with emotional challenges. He announced a Diocesan Blood Drive in partnership with the Public Hospitals Authority, urging all delegates and parishioners to give “the gift of life.”

On immigration, Bishop Boyd called for humane treatment of migrants in both jurisdictions, saying, “Illegal or not, they are human beings.” He condemned the exploitation of migrant communities and encouraged pathways for regularization of long-term residents born in The Bahamas to non-Bahamian parents. In the Turks and Caicos Islands, he warned against prejudice toward the poor or foreign-born, calling on both government and private sectors to respond compassionately to inequality and social strain.

Finally, Bishop Boyd highlighted the need for greater investment in social development and family life. He drew connections between early childhood trauma and rising violent crime, urging support for parenting programs, counselling, and mentoring initiatives. He commended the Anglican Pastoral Care Ministry for its ongoing programs addressing family violence, mentoring youth, and promoting positive parenting.

“We have so much that is good happening in our two countries,” he concluded, “but there is room for improvement. Let us work together as governments, private sectors, churches, and individuals to bring heaven down to earth and lift earth to the heights of heaven.”

Part II: Anglican Unity and the Global Church

In Part Two of his Charge, Bishop Boyd turned to global ecclesiastical matters, responding to news that the Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (GAFCON) voted to sever ties with the Worldwide Anglican Communion. Bishop Boyd firmly opposed the decision, describing it as “an unwise, unhealthy, and un-Anglican course of action.” He reaffirmed the Diocese’s commitment to unity within the Church in the Province of the West Indies and the broader Anglican Communion.

“Anglicanism is a spectrum of beliefs and practices,” he said. “We have remained one communion through centuries of difference. Our task is to reform and renew—not to divide.”

Bishop Boyd urged Anglicans to draw on the Church’s historic foundations of Scripture, Tradition, and Reason and to pursue reform “by mending the net rather than ripping it apart.” He called for prayer for the Communion and for renewed theological study, dialogue, and humility amid global disagreements.

In closing, Bishop Boyd announced that the 2026 Diocesan Theme will continue as “Family Matters,” reflecting the Diocese’s ongoing focus on family, social renewal, and intergenerational responsibility. He also shared upcoming events, including:

• The Funeral for Archbishop Drexel Gomez – November 6, 2025, at Christ Church Cathedral.
• Ordination to the Diaconate of Jamal Turnquest – rescheduled for June 4, 2026, commemorating the founding of the Diocese in 1861.
• The 42nd Triennial Provincial Synod – November 8–13, 2025, at SuperClubs Breezes, where the new Archbishop of the Province will be elected.

View the complete text of the Bishop’s Charge:
[Part I – Opening Service] | [Part II – Business Sessions]