Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
Loughnan, Basil

Teacher, pastor, military chaplain; born Christchurch, New Zealand, 9 May 1887; died Sydney, 22 January 1967, aged 79.

Basil Loughnan was educated at Christ's College and Riverview, and then entered the Society at Tullamore, 7 November 1903. Further Jesuit studies were in Dublin and Stonyhurst, England. His regency was at Riverview, 1910-1916.

He was ordained in Dublin, 8 April 1919, and returned to Australia in 1921, teaching Latin and English, and in charge of rowing at Xavier College, 1921-1926. He worked then in the Norwood parish, 1926-1930.

His most significant appointment was to Newman College, Melbourne University, 1930-1937, where he distinguished himself as a philosopher. At this time the general awarded him the degree doctor of philosophy, because his Jesuit studies were recognised by the Gregorian University.

Afterwards, he spent four years at Werribee, and then he taught Hebrew, Greek and the history of philosophy to Jesuit scholastics at Pymble from 1939-1941, and from 1942-1946 was a military chaplain, going to Japan at the end of the war.

When he enlisted, he put back his age that he might get more into the action. He did his parachute jumps, when quite elderly, and slept under canvas. As a chaplain, he had no human respect, and if ever at the officers' mess the conversation became nasty, he went for the offending officers and then left the table. He was tireless in his work for the troops, and was congratulated by the chaplain general for having made more converts than any other chaplain. He got on very well with many important military people. But he also did several quixotic things. He went through the hardest jungle training and long marches as though he were a young man, all of which contributed to his declining health. It appeared that he had no concern for his own life at all.

When the war was over, he was a cripple. Gradually he became worse, until he could not walk without two sticks, and then later, not at all. Being externally rough in conversation on occasions, he covered up the depth of his spirituality, patience, courage and kindness.

He returned to North Sydney parish as chaplain to the Mater Hospital from 1948-1954, until ill health forced him to retire to Pymble in 1955. He remained in poor health, and had a sad time for the remaining 12 years of his life. He spent a long time in the military hospital at Concord. Then as age and sickness increased, he lost his bearings. Eventually he went to St John of God hospital at Richmond and stayed there until he died.

Loughnan was one of the best original thinkers of the Australian province, and a brilliant philosopher, but highly strung, and, somewhat touchy and quarrelsome. His best work seemed to have been accomplished at Newman College, despite being under a very difficult and susceptible superior. He worked in the university departments of history and philosophy.

In his later years his peculiarities became rather more pronounced and for the last years of his life he was quite senile. He was reputed to be an excellent carpenter, and, if one wished to keep on good terms with him, it was necessary to visit him occasionally in his workshop and admire his handicraft.

Loughnan's magnum opus was entitled 'Metaphysics and Ethics’ that was passed by the Jesuit censors and recommended for publication by the reader of the Oxford University Press, but never published. It was a major work on the thoughts of Bradley, Bosanquet and Alexander. Loughnan had original ideas, and few could match him intellectually or meet him in the cut and thrust of debate.

His final vows were delayed because superiors believed that he should have a more lowly opinion of his own judgment and have greater reverence for the traditional views of the Jesuit ascetical writers, and the observance of common life. Superiors could not easily cope with original thinkers. However, Loughnan did lack discretion and prudence, and did not like to be contradicted. He was a man very active and athletic, a good oarsman and an enthusiastic cyclist, but he often over-taxed himself and took little care of his health. Despite later physical infirmity, his great strength and endurance ensured a long life.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)