Re. Fr Addison Turnquest Dies 5 June 2021
He was totally immersed in priestly duties by the time of his death but in the general election campaign of 1982, Addison Turnquest, Anglican priest decided to run for office for the Free National Movement. The late Sir Lynden Pindling had had a field day during that campaign with the right wing social philosophy of the priest and his fierce looking full beard and moustache. Sir Lynden through his nom de plume Q. E. Thomas in the party’s newspaper “ The Herald” called Fr. Turnquest “ The Ayatollah”, after the Ayatollah Khomeini who had gotten rid of the Shah of Iran and imposed a strict religious order on the nation of Iran. All of that is forgotten in this day and time, here is what Rev. Canon Sebastian Campbell under whom he served at St Gregory’s Anglican Church said of him in January of this year when he celebrated his anniversary to the priesthood. The Reverend Turnquest died of advanced liver cancer on 5th June 2021. Rest in peace:
49 years ago,(1972), at this very hour, 3pm , history was being made in our diocese at Christ church Cathedral. Rev. Deacon Addison Turnquest was being ordained to the sacred priesthood. The first Bahamian being ordained by a Bahamian, Rt. Rev. Michael Eldon. It was a Sunday afternoon, 16 th of January. Rev. Fr. Murillo Bonaby preached. He closed his sermon with a challenge, ” even now Addison if you feel that you have not been called to this ministry, in the presence of God and this great congregation, get up and depart, be no more seen.” Tension gripped the congregation. There was no movement. Addie stayed and the rest is history. At his first mass, the following Wednesday, Bishop Eldon preached, he asserted,” Addison will always have a special place in my heart….” Is it verifiable?
Addison Turnquest also made history, being the last Bahamian to be ordained by a Colonial Bishop. Rt. Rev. Bernard Markham presided at his ordination to the Holy Order Of Deacons.
Addison Turnquest indeed is a historical figure , alive , among us. A bridge from the old order to the present.