The Anglican Church of The Bahamas and The Turks and Caicos Islands is in mourning due to the death of their beloved Bishop – Michael Hartley Eldon.
The Bishop was born on 8th August, 1931 and he passed away at 12:50 a.m. this morning (Monday 7th February, 2011).
The Bishop fell ill on January 31st 2005, and was hospitalized in Nassau. Shortly thereafter he fell into a coma and was in that state until he died this morning. He was being looked after at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau for the last year.
Bishop Eldon was the first Bahamian to serve as Bishop of the Diocese. He was consecrated Bishop of New Providence on 24 June 1971. He became Diocesan Bishop in April, 1972. He served in that capacity for 24 years until his retirement 31st August 1996. Since 1st September, 1996, he has been an Assistant Bishop of the Diocese.
He was ordained Deacon on 22 July 1954 and priest on 10 August 1955. Because of his scholastic attainment at an early age, a young Deacon Michal Eldon taught Mathematics at St. John’s College, the first Bahamian to teach there.
Michael Eldon was a popular, beloved, gentle people’s person. He had a deep faith in God and high hopes for people. He was passionate about improving people and their lot. He loved the Church, loved being in Church and loved the worship of the Church.
As a priest and as a bishop he was known as a pastor, a carer and a listener. He was particularly passionate about developing indigenous clergy and about helping our clergy to be their best.
As a Bishop he travelled the islands extensively. He knew every island and community well and had a phenomenal memory; it was absolutely amazing how he knew Anglicans and others from all over the Bahamas and could say who they were and who their parents were and which settlement they were from. On many visits to Salt Cay, he promised church members that when he retired he would come to live there.
Michael Eldon made his contribution and employed his passion for Anglicans and for the wider Bahamian and Turks and Caicos Islands community.
In every respect he was a GIANT OF A MAN.
The TCI Community extends its condolences to his sister and other relatives; and the Anglican Church Family – especially Canon Mark Kendall, Canon Lamuel Been and Fr Bernard Been.
