THE CHURCH IN THE PROVINCE
OF THE WEST INDIES
The Forty-Second Triennial Meeting of the Provincial Synod – THE COMMUNIQUE
We the members of the House of Bishops, the House of Clergy and the House of Laity of the
Church in the Province of the West Indies at the Forty-Second Triennial Meeting, duly convened
in person hosted by the Diocese of The Bahamas and The Turks & Caicos Islands at Breezes Super
Clubs Resorts and Spa, New Providence from the 8th to the 13th of November, 2025,
DO HEREBY GREET you in the name of our Risen and Ascended Lord, Jesus Christ.
The Synod convened under the theme “The Church in a Changing World: Renewed,
Revitalised, Re-imagined and Reset”.
A short plenary session was held on Saturday, 8th November, 2025, under the chairmanship of the
Senior Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Philip Wright, where the Rt. Rev. Laish Boyd, Bishop of The Bahamas
and the Turks & Caicos Islands, welcomed the delegates to Synod and to the Diocese of The
Bahamas and the Turks & Caicos Islands. There was a short presentation from Youth Delegates
where they shared their perspectives on youth engagement in the church and offered
recommendations to the Synod which were as follows:
- Strengthen Diocesan Youth Councils
- Build clergy–youth mentoring networks
- Support youth-driven projects
- Structured follow-up systems
- Ongoing training and safeguarding
- Strengthen parental-parish partnerships.
- Embrace Technology
This was followed by meetings of the three Houses, Bishops, Clergy and Laity to consider the
issues identified by the Youth Delegates.
At 3:00 p.m., Saturday, all delegates and their spouses were hosted by The Governor General, Her
Excellency Dame Cynthia A. Pratt, O.N., GCMG at a welcome reception at Government House in
the capital, Nassau.
On Sunday, 9th November, 2025, delegates worshipped and fellowshipped at various churches in
the morning and then gathered at 5:00 p.m. for the Provincial Synod Opening Service. The Senior
Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Philip Wright presided as chief Celebrant and delivered his Charge, at Christ
Church Cathedral, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas and The Turks & Caicos Islands.
In his message, Bishop Wright began by thanking our Bahamian hosts for their hospitality. He
specifically noted the recent passing of Archbishop Drexel Gomez, honoring him as a “pioneer and
architect” of the transition to native leadership in the Province and extending prayers to his family.
The Senior Bishop extended thanks to the family of Archbishop Gomez for delaying the funeral
so that Bishops and other members of the Province could attend.
The Senior Bishop’s message was centered on the Synod’s theme: “The Church in a Changing
World: Renewed, Revitalized, Re-imagined and Reset”. Bishop Wright outlined the profound
challenges facing the region, including: - Environmental Crisis: The severe impact of the recent Category 5
Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and the Bahamas, which he
linked to climate change and the “excessive use of fossil fuel”. - Societal Issues: Economic uncertainty, crime and violence, corruption,
and threats to family life. - Internal and External Strife: Divisions within the Anglican Communion
and regional developments threatening peace.
In response to this “changing world,” Bishop Wright called on the Church to root its mission in
Christ and its baptismal covenant, which demands striving for justice and peace. He urged the
Church to move beyond “institutional maintenance” and provide strong, trustworthy leadership
based on conviction, confidence, and commitment.
He concluded by envisioning an Anglican Church that, while rooted in its liturgical tradition, is
also responsive to modern needs, serves as a prophetic voice for justice and environmental
stewardship , and invests in youth leadership and technology. Additionally, he summarized his
message in Spanish, highlighting the growing diversity of the Province.
On Monday, November 10th, 2025, the Synod Delegates met for the celebration of the Holy
Eucharist presided by the Senior Bishop, before going into Elective Assembly. The Rt. Rev. Garth
Minott, Suffragan Bishop of Kingston in the Diocese of Jamaica and The Cayman Islands was
appointed as the presider of the Elective Assembly. The Elective Assembly elected the Rt. Rev.
Philip Wright, Bishop of Belize as Archbishop, Primate and Metropolitan of the Church in the
Province of the West Indies.
Thereafter, the 42nd Triennial Meeting of the Provincial Synod of the Church in the Province of
the West Indies, 2025, was formally convened under the Chairmanship of the Archbishop, His
Grace, The Most Rev. Philip Wright. The Archbishop delivered brief remarks, thanking the
delegates for their “confidence and support”. He shared an allegory about a wise man and two boys
holding a bird, who asked if the bird was alive or dead. The wise man replied, “Whether that bird
is alive or dead is in your hands”. The Archbishop applied this to the Synod, stating that the future
of the Province “is in our hands”.
The Archbishop read two messages of greeting to the Synod:
The first message was from Bishop Anthony Poggo, the Secretary General of the Anglican
Communion. He extended greetings, noted the Province’s valued role in the Communion, and
offered prayers for the Synod. He also acknowledged the significant contributions of the late
Archbishop Drexel Gomez and the recently retired Archbishop Howard Gregory to the
Communion.
The second message was from the Archbishop-designate of Canterbury, The Rt. Rev. & Rt. Hon.
Dame Sarah Mullally, DBE. She expressed deep sorrow and solidarity with the people of Jamaica
following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa. She also praised the synod’s theme (“Renewed,
Revitalized, Reimagined, and Reset”) and its specific focus on empowering young people.
The Archbishop Wright also mentioned that video greetings had been received from the
Archbishop of York and the USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel).
The Daily Reflections were given by Senator Rev Canon Dr. John Rogers which was a theological
meditation on the Synod’s theme, “The Church In A Changing World: Renewed, Revitalized,
Reimagined, Reset.”
In his reflections he frames the Church’s position using the biblical analogy of the “Upper Pool”
and the “Fuller’s Field” from Isaiah 7, with the sub-theme: “The Church In The Province Of The
West Indies At The End Of The Conduit Of The Upper Pool On The Road To The Fuller’s
Field” signifying a critical moment of decision.
He stated that, like the Synod, the Church is at a “critical juncture” and must make vital decisions
for its future. The “conduit of the upper pool” was a “critical place” and a “vulnerable place”—the
“underbelly of Jerusalem”—where decisions crucial for the city’s survival were made. The Canon
used this story to symbolize the church’s current position, suggesting it is also in a vulnerable spot,
facing external pressures and needing to make transformative decisions that will determine its
future—whether for its “betterment” or its “detriment.”
The Synod received four (4) presentations from a panel of speakers: - Youth: Jessica Darville (presenting on behalf of herself, Aymara Albury,
and Durante Charlow). - Family Life: Tyrone and Linda Gibson.
- Evangelism and Discipleship: Lon Minns.
- Stewardship: Michael Dean.
to be considered alongside the Youth Delegate presentation and the Reports from the meetings of
the three (3) Houses (Bishops, Clergy & Laity) in their deliberations.
The Synod then met in “clusters” to deliberate on the following topics: - Connecting with and Empowering Youth Now for the Future.
- Integrating/Maximizing technology in church life and Christian life.
- Being and Strengthening the Family in a Challenging World.
- Being a Disciple in a Post-pandemic World – including the Decline in
Attendance. - Indigenizing/enculturating the West Indian Anglican Church.
- Christian formation across the lifespan of a disciple – not just through
Sunday School and Confirmation Classes. - Becoming a resourceful church that enhances ministry through faithful
stewardship of our people and our property.
The Synod set aside a portion of its time to focus on Codrington College’s significant financial
crisis, its governance structure, and its sources of funding. The Synod met with representatives of
Codrington Trust via Zoom to get an understanding of the operations of the Trust and the issues
facing the College. The Synod reviewed the financials of the College and heard the report of the
Acting Principal, Rev. Canon Dr. Kirkley Sands.
A number of resolutions were tabled, considered and duly passed, to wit:
Resolution No. 1: Resolution for the appointment of Two Youth Delegates to the Provincial
Synod. Withdrawn – To be amended and considered by Standing
Committee and the Commission on Youth
Resolution No.2: Appointment of a Youth Representative on each Provincial Standing
Commission – Passed
Resolution No.3: Training of Qualified Persons in Youth Ministry and Safe Church Policy –
withdrawn
Resolution No.4: For the Establishment of a Provincial Commission on Technology – Passed
Resolution No.5: Expressing Gratitude to Mrs. Elenor Lawrence – Provincial Secretary –
passed with amendments
Resolution No. 6: Expressing Gratitude to the Diocese of the Bahamas & Turks & Caicos
Islands for the organization of the 42nd Triennial Synod – passed
Resolution No.7: Acknowledging the election of the Most Rev’d Philip Wright as
Archbishop of the Province and as Primate and Metropolitian – Passed
In conclusion, we express our collective gratitude to His Grace, the Archbishop of the Church in
the Province of the West Indies, the Bishops, the Clergy and the Laity. We further extend our
gratitude to the Rt. Rev. Bishop Laish Boyd and the Planning Committee of the host Diocese of
The Bahamas and The Turks & Caicos Islands for the gracious hospitality to members of the
Synod, and also to the staff of Breezes SuperClub Resort and Spa. Thanks to the Senator Rev.
Canon Dr. John Rogers for his reflections. The Archbishop also expressed his gratitude to former
Archbishop Howard Gregory for his stewardship of the Province, especially during the Covid-19
pandemic. Upon a vote of thanks to all concerned, Synod concluded.
In view of the foregoing, we leave Provincial Synod strengthened in our fellowship in Christ and
more determined to serve HIM.
Dated the 13th day of November, 2025
+Philip
Archbishop of the Church in the Province of the West Indies.