Jesuit priest and writer

Jesuit priest and writer

Born: March 22, 1924; Died; November 4, 2014.

THE Jesuit priest Gerard Hughes, who has died aged 90, was an inspirational spiritual leader who was revered throughout the Catholic Church and respected by many in other denominations for his understanding and compassion.

He preached, and stood for, tolerance and understanding and admitted that he was one of the many "bewildered, confused or disillusioned Christians who have a love-hate relationship with the church to which they belong, or once belonged". Father Hughes asked ethical questions of himself and encouraged others to follow his example.

His most influential book, God of Surprises, was published in 1985 and is one of the most widely read religious books. Father Hughes takes the reader on a journey and argues "the Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure in a field". It was a best seller and has been translated into 20 languages.

Gerard William Hughes - known affectionately as Gerry W - was born in Skelmorlie, Ayrshire, the fourth of six children in a devoutly Catholic family, and when he was five, his parents moved to a tenement building in Glasgow. Father Hughes initially attended the Jesuit Saint Aloysius' College then Mount Saint Mary's - a boarding school in Sheffield. He was torn between medicine and the priesthood and proved a fine upholder of the best traditions of the latter.

He studied at Oxford, London and Frankfurt, but it was Frankfurt that made a deep impression on Father Hughes: the city was still recovering from the ravages of war and he became deeply aware for the need of social justice in the community.

He was ordained in 1958 and taught at two renowned Jesuit colleges: Stonyhurst, in Lancashire and Beaumont College, Windsor - at both he was involved in teaching, and playing, sport. His incisive lectures and talks also brought him much prominence and although for many years he was based at the Jesuit house in Harborne, Birmingham, he travelled widely and was a popular figure at retreats and seminars.

In Scotland he is best remembered for his inspiring years as Catholic chaplain at Glasgow University (1967-75). He was a hugely popular figure with the students and his discussion groups and sermons were always stimulating and created much thought.

But Father Hughes was never afraid of controversy and while in Glasgow he was twice dismissed by the Archbishop of Glasgow. His first dismissal came after he wrote an open letter criticising Pope Paul VI's controversial 1968 encyclical that confirmed the Vatican's ban on contraception.

After some internal wrangling, Father Hughes was reinstated only to upset the Catholic authorities again in 1972 when it was confirmed he had given the sacrament to non-Catholics. Father Hughes was again reinstated but his independence was the measure of the man. Perhaps he felt a change of job and city was required when he walked from Weybridge to Rome - a journey that was captured in his book In Search of a Way.

Father Hughes was neither conventional nor convinced by dogma. He was a strong advocate for peace and joined many marches and demonstrations with CND and Pax Christi, the international Catholic peace movement. His last book (Cry of Wonder) which was published last month, contrasted the advances in technology with society's lack of faith. "We have lost the link between the words we use and what we actually do. It's a most vicious illness: it faces us with annihilation."

He returned to Scotland to attend Catholic gatherings and retreats. Amongst the many good causes he supported was the Coach House Kilmuir Trust in Morayshire which is a meeting place for contemplation for people of all faiths. In 2010 he delivered a lecture in Edinburgh organised by Alzheimer's Scotland titled Is there a Retirement Age for Spirituality? In conclusion Father Hughes suggested: "We shall never find a neat, clear answer. The answer is greater than anything we can think or imagine: the search is worth every moment."

Father Hughes celebrated his 90th birthday in Bournemouth at Campion Hall, a hall of residence. His many friends celebrated with a glorious cake diplomatically crowned with just one lit candle. He remained committed and firm in his beliefs to the end. In an interview with The Tablet last month, he talked about death. "Dying is not a major problem," he said. "In fact it is not a problem. It's this gift of being alive now that is so important."