Gerard J Hughes SJ

Of my fifty years as a Jesuit, no fewer than thirty-three were spent at the various manifestations of Heythrop College; a total of five as a student in Oxfordshire, and twenty-eight as lecturer, and then Chair of the Philosophy Department at Heythrop College, University of London.  If that sounds like a recipe for boredom, think again.

Of course any teacher will enjoy memories of students over the years in all their fascinating variety, will have the delight of seeing them acquire the courage to think for themselves, and the pleasure of some enduring friendships.  But as a Jesuit, over and above teaching people to think and reflect to some purpose, I wanted to convey something of the relationship between being a Catholic and being intellectually honest.  Too many students have been subjected to a religious education in which genuine issues were dodged or swept under the nearest carpet.