The Tribune

ANGLICAN Archdeacon James Palacious celebrates the 40th anniversary of his ordination this week with a service of thanksgiving at Christ the King on Thursday and on Sunday at St Philip’s Church, Inagua, on Sunday.

During his ministry, Archdeacon Palacious has had a distinguished career in the Church and public sector, serving in the Family Islands and as Archdeacon for the Southern Bahamas as well as being on the board of the Central Bank of the Bahamas, the Ethics Committee of Doctors Hospital and a Justice of the Peace.

Born in Inagua to Irvin and Margaret Palacious on June 12, 1952, he left the Inagua Public School and followed his older brothers Eugene and Eric to Nassau to attend St John’s College. Thanks to his academic prowess, he was graduated in 1968 with a determination to one day accede to the priesthood.

After working briefly in the private and public sectors, he pursued theological studies to test his vocation, entering Kelham Theological College in England and matriculated at Codrington College/The University of the West Indies in Barbados. In 1975, he became the first to be awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology with first class honours.

On June 24, 1975, the Feast Day of St John the Baptist, the Patron Saint of the diocese of the Bahamas and Turks & Caicos Islands, Ven. Palacious was ordained deacon at Christ Church Cathedral in Nassau. A year later, in 1976, he returned to his natal church of St Philip in Mathew Town, Inagua, where he was ordained to the priesthood.

Archdeacon Palacious went on to further his education at Princeton Theological Seminary, New Jersey, and later Drew University, New Jersey.

During his 40-year ordained ministry in the Diocese, Archdeacon Palacious has served in several capacities including: Diocesan Youth Officer (1975-1977), Bishop’s Chaplain (1975-1981), Priest-in-Charge, St Bartholomew’s, Berry Islands (1976–1981), Priest-in-Charge and Rector, St Gregory’s (1978-1981), Rector, St Patrick’s, Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera and Rector, St Matthew’s (1988-2004.) From 1992- 2006 he served as Archdeacon for the Southern Bahamas and since February 2004 he has held the position of Archdeacon of Administration in the Diocesan Office.

Archdeacon Palacious’ devotion has manifested itself in a life of service not only to the Church but also to his fellow human beings and his beloved Bahamas. He has lectured at the College of The Bahamas (1978-1979), served as Chaplain of the One Family Junkanoo and Community Organisation, served as a member of the Hotel Corporation, and is a former arbitrator of industrial disputes in the hotel industry. He presently serves on the Board of Directors of The Central Bank of The Bahamas, the Board of the newly established Public Defenders Unit, the Ethics Committee of Doctors Hospital, and the Junkanoo Think Tank appointed by the Junkanoo Corporation New Providence Ltd. He is the current fundraising Director for the Rotary Club of Nassau Sunrise, an internationally Certified Arbitrator of Disputes, Chaplain of the Junkanoo Development Association and also a Justice of the Peace.

Archdeacon Palacious’ gift of oratory, his keen wit and his depth of experience have combined to make him a highly sought after speaker. He has been married to the Rev Angela C Bosfield Palacious for 34 years and they are the proud parents of a son, Carlos, and daughter-in-law, Anastarsia.

Since 2012, beginning with the celebration of his 60th birthday, Archdeacon Palacious has raised $86,000 from the sale of his two CDs and monetary gifts for his beloved St Philip’s. On Sunday he again returns to St Philip’s to celebrate his 40th anniversary of ordination.

A service of thanksgiving for Archdeacon’s 40th anniversary of ordination also will be held in Nassau at Christ the King Anglican Church on Thursday at 7.30pm. Instead of gifts, donations are requested in aid of St Philip’s Anglican Church, Inagua, and the St John’s College Scholarship Programme.