The Tribune

PASTOR of Mount Olive Baptist Church Rev C B Moss has spoken out against the “extremely offensive” address given by Anglican Archeacon James Palacious last week when he told a crowd gathered to celebrate Majority Rule Day that “black people breed too much”.

In a letter to the editor, Rev Moss said the archdeacon’s remarks left him with “deep disappointment” and “dismay.” Rev Moss said he has known the archdeacon for some time and assumed that he had a lapse of judgment and would publicly apologise for the remarks.

“This comment was extremely offensive and was made at the wrong time, to the wrong audience, at the wrong place, and by someone perhaps representing the wrong organisation to speak at such an occasion,” Rev Moss said.

“The comment obviously lacked the historical, cultural, economic, social, religious, and political knowledge, awareness, and sensitivity expected from one of the archdeacon’s stature.

“I have known Archdeacon Palacious for many years, and would not have expected the comment to emanate from him, particularly on an occasion that was of such awesome pride and dignity for black people, who make up the overwhelming majority of the nation’s population,” Rev Moss added.

“Given this posture, I can only then assume that Archdeacon Palacious suffered an immense lapse of judgment and that he would now do the right thing and make a public apology. He has given much to the Bahamas, and I am convinced that he has more to give as we seek to move our nation forward.”

While addressing a crowd gathered at the Southern Recreation Grounds on January 10, Archdeacon Palacious said unless “we find a way to control our reproductive processes” The Bahamas will be stuck recycling poverty.

The archdeacon also said while Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn’s proposal for state-sponsored sterilisation of women was “most unfortunate,” he agrees with the principle of what Mr Lightbourn was trying to say.

While speaking at the Free National Movement’s televised convention last July, Mr Lightbourn proposed that the country adopt legislation that mandates unwed mothers with more than two children have their “tubes tied” in an effort to curtail the country’s social ills. His comments drew the ire of many people, with some parliamentarians, local advocacy groups, and others swiftly condemning him for his statements. He has since apologised for his comments.

“We live in a society where the rich gets richer and the poor get children,” Archdeacon Palacious said.

“What I mean is this, unless we can control our reproductive process we will always be recycling poverty. My member of Parliament Richard Lightbourn made some most unfortunate remarks at the FNM convention, which he later apologised for, and that is important. Having said that let me say this too: the principal of what he was trying to say I agree totally.

“Black people breed too much. We have too many children we cannot afford and as a result of that we digging ourselves more and more into poverty. If we can’t see that then something is radically wrong with us,” the archdeacon added.

“You have children on the lunch programme right now mothers, and you going having some more, come on man. Give me a break, give yourself a break. God didn’t put you here as any baby machine, he put you here to be a productive citizen of this country. That is what we need.”