The Anglican community in The Bahamas is mourning the death of the Right Reverend Cornell Moss, who died in a Miami hospital on Saturday.

In an interview with The Bahama Journal yesterday, Anglican Bishop Drexel Gomez said Bishop Moss’ death represents a great loss, not only in The Bahamas, but Guyana and the Province of the West Indies.

“His death is sudden unexpected and it gives all of us a sad blow because not only will we miss him, but he had great promise for leadership within the province,” Bishop Gomez said.

Bishop Moss was trained at Covington College for the priesthood. But before he went to Covington College he was a member of St. Barnabas Parish in Nassau.

At the completion of his training and ordination, he served at several parishes in Nassau and he also served in Abaco and Grand Bahama.

According to Bishop Gomez, it was in Grand Bahama where Bishop Moss made his greatest contribution as leader of the Parish of the Ascension in Lucaya.

He also built “a beautiful new church and a fabulous parish hall under his leadership,” Bishop Gomez added.

“In addition, he was regarded as a great traditionalist and he was a leader in terms of preserving the Catholic Order and Catholic Discipline. And he was selected by the bishops of the province to be the bishop in Guyana when the first predecessor retired.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell also spoke highly of Bishop Moss as he expressed condolences yesterday.
“Bahamians fondly remember the Venerable Cornell Jerome Moss who served the Anglican Diocese in The Bahamas with distinction, rising to the post of Archdeacon of Nassau and the Bahamas,” Mitchell said in a statement.

Later, he was selected a bishop by the House of Bishops of the Province of the West Indies when they met for a conference in August, 2009, succeeding the Right Reverend Randolph George who retired on December 31, 2008.

He presided over the Anglican Diocese of Guyana and Suriname until his death.

“In addition, to the great pride I as a Bahamian took in his role as a bishop serving in Guyana, I appreciated his friendship and support for the progressive movement and cause and in supporting the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” Mitchell said.

“I extend heartfelt condolences to his wife, his mother and the extended Anglican family both at home and abroad, especially in Guyana and the Ascension Anglican Parish in Freeport, Grand Bahama. May his soul rest in peace.”