The Revd Keith Adrian Gordon, RIP





It is with great sadness that I announce that the Revd Keith Gordon, Priest-in-Charge of the Anglican Parish of St Francis in Tenerife South, died on Monday 4 June.  Fr Keith developed complications following surgery he had for a brain tumour earlier in May. He died surrounded by his closest family and friends, members of his parish, and with the pastoral care for his final journey given by the Dean of Gibraltar, the Very Revd John Paddock, the Revd Mike Smith (Tenerife North) and the Revd
Maurice Horsey (locum priest).


Fr Keith (born 1949) was ordained deacon in 1998 and priest in 1999 in the Diocese of Venezuela, where he served a curacy in St Mary’s Caracas. He took up his present post in Tenerife in 2003. 

His former bishop, the Rt Revd Orlando Guerrero, of Venezuela, wrote on hearing the news of his death:
“on behalf of the diocesan clergy and parishioners of the Venezuelan Anglican Church I hereby express our condolences on the passing of our brother and former member of our clergy... We thank the Lord for his life among us, and for his ministry and vocation to serve in that part of the Catholic Church of Christ, the Mother Church of England. We express our gratitude to all family members, close friends, the clergy who administered the sacraments and comfort at the end....Fr Keith’s memory will be with us until we come to the great Day of Resurrection. Rest in Peace.
+Orlando”
Fr Keith faced his cancer with bravery and always with an optimistic good humour. He fought a good fight. We shall all miss him dearly. May God open to him the gates of paradise and grant him peace.


The funeral will be on Wednesday 5 June in Tenerife, with Dean John Paddock presiding.
O God, who hast made thy servant Keith to flourish among the Ministers of Apostolic Succession in the honourable office of a Priest: grant, we beseech thee, that he may also be joined with thine Apostles in a perpetual fellowship. Through thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.





Comments

  1. abritabroad22 July 2012 at 23:34

    I shall miss Keith very much and so will many of us in the Los Gigantes area. I find it unbelievable that a celebration of his life will not be held in our local church. Can some one tell me why.He reached out to people wether they attended the local church or not.That is what christianity is about surely, not just preaching to the converted?
    He helped me when I was at the lowest point in my life and I shall always remember the unconditional help he gave me. The church could do with a few more like him,maybe then people wouldn't see the church as some kind of private club for more righteous. Lets remember what Keith lived for,to spread the love of Christ.

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