Remembering … Fr Gordian Marshall OP (1938-2007)
Fr Gordian Marshall was born John Francis Marshall on the 19th of November 1938 in Edinburgh. He was educated at Holy Cross High School, where he was a classmate of Cardinal Keith Patrick O’ Brien. After years devoted service as an altar boy to Fr Anthony Ross OP, he asked to enter the Dominican novitiate, and was accepted in 1956. Following completion of his studies and ordination to the priesthood, Gordian was sent to teach at Llanarth, a preparatory school in Wales run by the Dominicans, where he remained until his appointment as novice master for the cooperator brothers, which required him to move in 1967. In this role he became noted for the courage with which he stood up for the brothers’ interests, and the gentleness with which he related to his novices.
After the merging of the cooperator and clerical novitiates, Gordian was sent to the newly developed Spode Conference Centre, where, in collaboration with others, he developed a mission to schools. This interest in education remained throughout the rest of his life, expressed during his time in Leicester as University Chaplain, and in his work in Glasgow, training future Catholic teachers at St. Andrews College. From his move to Glasgow onwards, Gordian developed a significant interest in inter-religious dialogue, and became known as an authority in the field. As superior of the Glasgow house, Gordian supervised the move to take over the running of St. Columba’s parish, Maryhill, Glasgow. Gordian was seen very much as an elder statesman of the Province, a deeply practical man whose level head and gentle wisdom were greatly valued. He attended the General Chapter of the Order in Bogota in 2007, where the altitude made him ill. Yet he carried out his duties to the best of his ability, obedient as he had always been in his Dominican life.
I have fond personal memories of Gordian. When I was an enquirer, Gordian kindly allowed me to stay at the house, then located in Queen’s Drive on the South side of Glasgow. This helped me greatly in my time writing my doctorate. I was always made to feel especially welcome. I remember his affectionate teasing of a brother of the Glasgow house. After any teasing comment, a quick wink or smile followed quickly behind. I also remember the time when the house was plagued by a troublesome rodent visitor. I was sat at the breakfast table eating my cornflakes one morning, and Gordian appeared with a smile on his face, wearing a pair of yellow rubber gloves. He reached behind the bin, and picked up a large rat trap with its victim caught fast, and smiling, said ‘gosh, she’s a big one!’ That morning I was especially grateful to have been blessed with a strong stomach.
Gordian died suddenly on the 14th of December 2007. He was 69 years of age, and had been professed for over fifty years. RIP.
