St. Agnes Remembers a True Hero of the Church

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Anglicans and Bahamians of other faiths and backgrounds are continuing to mourn the passing of Archbishop Drexel Gomez, the first Bahamian to ever be elected to head the Province of the West Indies.

Twenty-four hours after his passing, the church where a young Drexel Gomez was first introduced to the gospel, Anglicanism, and nurtured into a life in ministry, the congregation at St. Agnes Anglican Church celebrated their regular midday mass, a service which the archbishop kept without fail.

Rev. Fr. Howard Bethell – Assistant Curate, St. Agnes Anglican Church
“A saint who has been influential in helping each and every one to realign our very own purposes and priorities. A saint known to us as our very own Archbishop Gomez.”

Deacon Lamar Nottage, recently ordained and assigned to this historic parish, represents a continuing legacy of young priests who benefitted from the tutelage of the archbishop. He was privileged to be part of a duo who visited the ailing archbishop daily.

Rev. Deacon Lamar Nottage – St. Agnes Anglican Church
“He was a true scholar. It was wonderful to sit at his feet. As a deacon here at St. Agnes, to minister to him up until his last days, it was remarkable to learn from him.”

Following a decorated career, on his retirement as bishop in 2009, with a choice of parishes and postings, Gomez settled back to his roots.

Rev. Fr. Howard Bethell – Assistant Curate, St. Agnes Anglican Church
“He just threw himself into the main core ministries here at the church. His Bible studies were legendary.”

“And then he said to me, when I took over, I would like to continue with the ministry to the more mature persons, who I could relate to as well. So, he established the 12:30 service on a Wednesday and it just grew and people came out.”

From the diocese flag flown at half-mast at the church to the very Book of Common Prayer revised by him. Just some of the many examples of the archbishop’s influence and impact on this diocese and Anglicanism.

As the first Bahamian to achieve the high office of Archbishop of the West Indies, against the many positions held throughout the country, many more official observances are anticipated.