Vale Gerald O’Collins 1931-2024

Quadrant readers will be saddened to learn of the death in August of Father Gerald O’Collins (above), distinguished theologian and prolific author. He contributed four informative and stimulating articles to the magazine this year: on the poets Seamus Heaney and Peter Steele, a fellow Jesuit (January-February), the Polish priest, Anton Mruk, who survived Auschwitz (April), on John Paul II and golf (June) and on papal elections during his years in Rome (July-August). —  Barry Spurr, Literary Editor

The following obituary notice has been published on the website of the Australian Jesuits and is here reprinted with their kind permission.

The Society of Jesus mourns the death of Father Gerald (“Gerry”) O’Collins SJ AC.  Fr O’Collins died in Melbourne on Thursday 22 August at the age of 93. He had been a Jesuit for 74 years and a priest for 61 years.

Born in 1931 and educated at Xavier College, Kew, he resided at Newman College at The University of Melbourne before joining the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1950. Following Jesuit formation at Watsonia, Melbourne, he completed a Bachelor of Arts and then a Master of Arts at The University of Melbourne. He was ordained on 2 January 1963 in Ballarat by his uncle, Bishop James O’Collins. In September 1964 he began his tertianship in Munster, Germany. After completing his tertianship, he embarked on a doctorate in Fundamental Theology at Pembroke College at the University of Cambridge and then a Sacred Licentiate at Heythrop College.

Fr O’Collins became a theologian of global significance, teaching at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome for 33 years and publishing more than 70 books as well as countless articles. He taught many future bishops, supervising their dissertations. After leaving the Gregorian in 2006, he was research professor at St Mary’s College, University of Surrey, London before returning to Australia in 2009, where he was adjunct professor at Australian Catholic University and research fellow at Catholic Theological College (University of Divinity) and taught at the Jesuit College of Spirituality, Parkville.

Fr O’Collins was renowned for his academic collaborations, which led to fruitful publications and international teaching projects. These were made possible by his generous, humble, open, hospitable and industrious nature. Creative in his approach and ever the encourager, he mentored countless young scholars. He also had the common touch and great pastoral instincts. He prepared obituaries for eminent Australians who were his friends and was a devoted chaplain to the Order of Malta, to whom he gave annual retreats in Melbourne. He was deeply prayerful.

Creative in his approach and ever the encourager, he mentored countless young scholars. He also had the common touch and great pastoral instincts.

Creative in his approach and ever the encourager, he mentored countless young scholars. He also had the common touch and great pastoral instincts.

In 2006, Fr O’Collins was made a Companion of the General Division of the Order of Australia (AC) “for service to the Catholic Church internationally and to scholarship as a renowned theologian, academic and influential contributor to ecumenical relations.” He will be greatly missed by many around the world, especially his large extended family and Jesuit brothers, to whom he was such a good companion.

Fr Quyen Vu SJ, Australian Jesuit Provincial, said, “Fr Gerald O’Collins was a humble servant of the Lord. The centre of his life was his friendship with Jesus Christ, whom he loved. His scholarship and pastoral ministry gave witness to this. He loved and was beloved by his family, Jesuit brothers and friends. We give thanks to God for his life and pray for the repose of his soul. May he rest in peace with the God he served all his life.”