Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017, post-publication supplement:
Gardiner, Paul, OAM

Philosopher, postulator, chaplain; born Sandringham, Melbourne 20 January 1924; died Penola, South Australia, 18 March 2017, aged 93.

Paul Bernard Gardiner was educated by the Christian Brothers, first at CBC St Kilda, and then at St Kevin's, Toorak, Melbourne. He was an outstanding debater and gifted in drama, and was dux of St Kevin's, aged 15 years. He entered the Jesuits at Loyola College, Watsonia, 13 March 1940. After philosophy, he studied Arts at The University of Melbourne majoring in classical philology, while residing at Loyola during the years 1942-47. He received gold medals in classics from the university. In 1948, he was granted the Master of Arts degree from the same university.

Regency at St Ignatius' College, Riverview, as a teacher and division prefect followed, 1949-51. Theology studies was at Canisius College, Pymble, 1952-55, being ordained priest by Cardinal Norman Thomas Gilroy at St Mary's, North Sydney, 5 January 1955. A biennium in philosophy was undertaken at the Gregorian University, Rome, 1956-57, followed by tertianship at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin, Ireland, 1957-58.

Returning to Australia in 1959, Gardiner was assigned to Loyola College as a professor of philosophy until 1968. He also lectured the juniors and novices in humanities over the years. He was a breath of fresh air to the scholastics, as he was the first professor to give lectures in English. After a sabbatical in Rome during 1969, he returned to Campion College, Kew, again teaching the scholastics philosophy, and then, 1971-72, also as prefect of studies, professor of natural theology, theology and ethics at the diocesan seminary, Corpus Christi College, Werribee.

From 1973-75, he returned to teaching Jesuit scholastics philosophy at the Jesuit Theological College, Parkville, Melbourne, while also lecturing at Catholic College. Teaching religion, Latin and history at St. Ignatius' College, Riverview, followed, 1976-78.

Gardiner experienced a complete change in 1979 when he was appointed assistant secretary of the East Asia Assistancy at the General Curia in Rome. His knowledge of historical Rome became exceptional, and he was always a gracious host to visitors to the Eternal City. After this time, at the end of 1982, he spent a year teaching religion, Latin and history at Riverview while a discernment took place regarding his future ministry.

As a result of this discernment, he become the postulator of the cause for canonization of Mother Mary MacKillop, while residing in Rome, 1984-94, a task he continued for 25 years. While still working on this project, he returned to Australia in 1995, residing at St Aloysius' College, Milsons Point, and acting as chaplain to the Josephite Sisters at the Mary MacKillop Centre, North Sydney. This work continued at Penola, South Australia, 1999-2017, as chaplain to the Mary MacKillop Centre, where, as Christopher Horvat wrote, 'he was appreciated by the local people for his pastoral concern, wide interests, erudition, loquacity, and common touch. Upon his request he is buried in the old Penola cemetery, facing in the direction of the adjoining Cameron property where Mary MacKillop worked when she first came to Penola'.

Chris Horvat further reflected that 'Gardiner is justly celebrated for his 25 years of work on the Cause for Mary MacKillop's canonisation. His research was painstaking and exhaustive, resulting in the definitive biography of Mary as well as numerous articles and interviews in the media. He was always tactful, since he wanted to clear up misconceptions, do full justice to Mary and enable Australians of all stripes to identify with her as the country's first declared saint. His efforts were vindicated when he concelebrated at her canonisation in Rome in 2010. The Federal Government awarded him the Medal of the Order of Australia in recognition'.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)