FR. BRIAN GORE, SSC
Brian Gore was born on 6 January 1944, in Fremantle, Perth, Western Australia, to Frank Gore and Thelma Edwards. Brian joined the Columbans in 1960. He completed his seminary formation in Sassafras, Victoria, and Turramurra, NSW. He was ordained in Fremantle on 29 June 1968, the 50th anniversary of the Missionary Society of St. Columban.
Brian arrived in the Philippines in 1969. He was assigned to southern Negros Occidental, then under the Diocese of Bacolod (now the Diocese of Kabankalan) and was a pastor in several parishes.
By 1972, he began working closely with marginalised sugar workers and farmers, helping to organise Basic Christian Communities (BCCs). These communities empowered local people to advocate for their rights through nonviolent means. Although the local bishop supported these activities, they earned the ire of the landlords.
In 1983, during the Marcos dictatorship, Brian — along with fellow Columban priest Niall O’Brien, Filipino priest Vicente Dangan, and six lay workers — was arrested on fabricated charges of murder. The group came to be known as the “Negros Nine.” They were imprisoned for 14 months until the charges were dismissed in 1984 due to lack of evidence.
Brian returned to Australia where he was in great demand for talks on peace, justice, and non-violence on radio, TV, churches, and public halls. He returned to the Philippines in 1986 where he served in vocation work for 5 years.
In 1994, Brian was appointed Director of Australia and New Zealand for two terms. His high public profile raised awareness of Columban mission’s commitment to justice, peace, and the cry of the poor and the exploited earth. He then served as Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Coordinator in Australia from 2000 to 2003.
In 2000, Brian co-founded the Negros Nine Human Development Foundation (NNHDF) to carry on the work initiated by the BCCs. The foundation focuses on sustainable agriculture, reforestation, livelihood programs, education, and the prevention of human trafficking.
In 2004 Brian returned to the Philippines. He was appointed JPIC Coordinator for Luzon and Negros. In 2005, he was elected to the Regional Council and served as Regional Director from 2006 to 2009.
After his term as Regional Director, he returned to Negros to continue his mission through the NNHDF. He settled at the Columban Retreat Center in Batang, Himamaylan, and would regularly visit Santuario de San Columbano de Bantolinao, a mountain area in Kabankalan, where he started a 12-hectare organic farm to promote sustainable farming. He lived and worked in the community he loved and helped grow — until the end of his life.
Known as the poor man’s priest, Brian will be remembered for his deep love for the Filipino people and fearless commitment to justice and solidarity with the poor and the wounded earth.
Brian died on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, at the Holy Mother of Mercy Hospital in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental, Philippines. His funeral mass was attended by the people, bishops and clergy of Kabankalan Diocese and the Diocese of San Carlos. Also present were some lay people and priests from the Diocese of Bacolod. Brian is buried at Kabankalan Catholic cemetery beside Niall O’Brien, Edward Allen and Colum O’Halpin.
May he rest in peace.
