Gregrory was born on 28th April 1931 to father, Laurence, and mother, Mona Rosa, and baptised at SS Mary & Walberga in Shipley, W. Yorkshire, where he was also confirmed. After school at Mount St Mary’s, Spinkhill, Rory entered the Society of Jesus in 1949 at Roehampton in London, taking his first vows at Harlaxton.
After a Juniorate at Roehampton, Rory studied philosophy at Heythrop in Oxfordshire, followed by a 3rd year philosophy and then a 4th year of pedagogy both at Roehampton. In 1956, he set sail for what was then Rhodesia, where he studied indigenous languages until his return to theology back at Heythrop. There he was ordained deacon and priest (1962).
Tertianship was at St Beuno’s and he took final vows in 1965. In 1964, Rory studied art while at Campion Hall and then at Corby Hall in Sunderland. Art figured much in his life later on as he became well-known for his sculptures. He taught at St Michael’s, Leeds, and at St Ignatius, Enfield, before moving to the Bristol university chaplaincy.
In 1977, Rory developed a new ministry among the oil workers in Aberdeen and Shetland. After this work, he was at Leeds university for ministry before a spell at Mount St Mary’s and Barlborough Hall.
In 1999, Rory went to St Beuno’s to help direct retreats. There he also further developed his abilities as a sculptor.
In 2022, Rory’s last move was to the Corpus Christi Jesuit Community in Boscombe to get the good care he needed.
Please pray for the repose of his soul and for those who mourn his passing.
The Requiem Mass will be at Corpus Christi Church in Boscombe on Friday 17th July at 12.30pm. You can watch a livestream of the Mass on the Corpus Christi YouTube channel here.
