The passing has been announced of Anguillian Anglican Priest Reverend Canon Bernard Hodge, 75. He died in Antigua over the Easter weekend (Saturday April 19), after battling pancreatic cancer and serving in that island for many years.
He was widely known and admired for his outgoing and strong personality, his candid views, yet humility, and his multi-purpose contributions to church and community life over four and a half decades.
The Right Rev Errol Brookes, Bishop of the Diocese of the North- Eastern Caribbean and Aruba, described his late fellow Anguillian and Priest as a trail-blazer in many ways; a very innovative and good preacher; and a ministerial radio personality on ZDK Radio in Antigua for many years. The Bishop added that Canon Hodge was also an entrepreneur but, above all, was a very pastoral person, caring for people.
The Thanksgiving Service for the departed Canon Hodge will be held at St John’s Cathedral on Thursday, May 1, commencing at 2.00 pm. Bishop Brooks and others from Anguilla will join priests and parishioners from various parts of the Diocese at the funeral.
As a young man, Bernard Hodge left Anguilla for Codrington Theological College in Barbados where he studied for the Anglican Ministry from 1963 to 1967. He was then ordained as a Deacon in 1967 and a Priest in 1968. He served as Assistant Curate at St Peter’s, Montserrat, in 1967 and during that year to 1971 at St George’s St Kitts. He was appointed Priest at St Stephen’s along with St Peter’s in Antigua from 1972 to 1979. He held the appointment as Domestic Chaplin to the Bishop of Antigua from 1971 to 1979; and was made Canon of St John’s Cathedral in 1980. In 1993 he became Parish Priest at St Peter’s, Antigua. He officially retired in 2009, but still served as Priest-in-Charge there until his death.
While serving as a Priest, Canon Hodge was engaged in various community services in Antigua. For over twenty years, he taught English to Engineering and Business Studies students at the Antigua State College; he hosted morning devotions and Sunday evening radio programmes for over twenty-five years; and was appointed Religious Coordinator for the state-run television station. He also served as Chaplin for the Antigua and Barbuda Parliament and the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force.
Aside from his ecclesiastical duties, he was involved as proprietor of business enterprises in Antigua, but was always fully committed to his Christian faith.
The late Anguillian Priest was the recipient of the “Most Precious Order of Princely Heritage” (abbreviated OH) – an order in the Antigua honours system. It is an award for both deserving citizens of Antigua and Barbuda as well as persons from other countries residing there.
Canon Hodge is survived by his wife, Mrs Beatrice Hodge, and their two children to whom The Anguillian extends heartfelt condolences.
