Father Paul Gibbons was a wonderful priest who exuded an air of authentic holiness in life. Raised a ‘wee free’ presbyterian, and with a life long interest in Eastern Orthodoxy, he became Anglican and ministered for years at St. Michael’s Church in Maidstone. Ever an eccentric his hobby was to keep much beloved donkeys at the bottom of his garden!
Fr Paul was one of those delightful Christians who is totally unaware of their personal holiness though it is manifest to others. Most people, for example, would turn a refugee away from their doorstep but not Fr Paul, who took a young man in and supported him for years in return for driving and odd jobs. Years later, when Fatmir returned home and reappeared married with a pregnant wife, Fr Paul found himself in the unusual position of being an adoptive grandad! This is just one example of his charity and love.
The doctrinal drift of the Church of England over several decades deeply wounded Fr. Paul’s heart. He simply could not understand the appeal of modernist liberalism and resisted it with every fibre of his being. It was therefore not surprising that he found himself drawn towards the Catholic Church and the Ordinariate. When the Ordinariate was announced Fr. Paul saw it as a wonderful opportunity for the Anglo-Catholic movement to follow where their founder, John Henry Newman, had led. He came to St. Anselm’s in Pembury soon after to complete a short period of formation before forming the Maidstone Ordinariate based in Wateringbury.
Everyone in Pembury loved Fr. Paul. His dramatic reading of the Gospel was moving and so too was his preaching and example. Father Nicholas summed it up best on the day of his arrival – ‘at last a priest who is genuinely holy!’
When a parishioner died some years ago Father Paul stunned everyone in the intercessions by stating ‘we must not be jealous, our time will come’ But as we pondered those words we realised their beauty. It was the voice of true faith and of a sincere yearning to be with Jesus in heaven. As he grew older Fr. Paul really wanted to go and be with God. ‘Why won’t he take me?’ he used to implore ‘I so look forward to it but it just doesn’t happen’.
Fr Paul’s sight deteriorated badly in old age and several years ago he moved to a Catholic nursing home in Sussex. His wish to be with Jesus finally came to pass on 25th August. I have no doubt he is absolutely thrilled. Details of his funeral to follow. We will be offering the 11am Mass on Sunday as we pray for his soul. Rest in peace dear Father Paul. You were not only a good friend but a great inspiration.
