10 notable Christian leaders, influencers who died in 2025

Drexel Gomez – Oct. 14

The Most Rev. Drexel Gomez, a former archbishop in the global Anglican Communion who was known for advancing theologically conservative views, died at the age of 88.

A native of the Bahamas, Gomez was ordained a priest in 1961. In 1972, at age 36, he became the bishop of the Diocese of Barbados, the first Caribbean-born person to lead the regional body.

Gomez was elected archbishop and primate of the West Indies in 1998, serving in the position until he retired in 2008. He remained active in church affairs until shortly before his death.

While Gomez denounced theologically progressive trends within the Anglican Communion, becoming a prominent voice for churches based in the Global South, he also encouraged unity and reconciliation among the different factions.

“His contribution spans the diocese, the community of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Province of the West Indies, and the worldwide Anglican Communion,” stated the Anglican Diocese of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“It would be fair to say that the impact of this Bahamian son from Bullocks Harbour, the Berry Islands, to the world stage has been nothing short of tremendous.”