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

Teacher, pastor; born Melbourne, Victoria, 8 March 1943; died Melbourne, 24 August 2003, aged 60.

Geoffrey James, son of Reuben and Eileen, and brother of Gavan and Pauline, was educated at Xavier College, Melbourne, and was one of 22 who entered the noviciate at Loyola College, Watsonia in 1961. Only four remained in the Society from the year after his death.

Besides the usual ecclesiastical studies in Australia, James studied for an arts degree at Monash University, and was assigned to regency at Kostka Hall, Brighton, and St Aloysius' College, Milson's Point. With his lively personality and great gift of friendship, James made life-long friends during these years.

Except for tertianship in 1976, he worked at Xavier College as teacher, especially of religious education, 1975-81. This was followed, 1982-85, at St Ignatius' College, Riverview, where he was a strong advocate of justice education, and involved students in service to the poor.

During the years 1980-85 he was also province vocations promoter, and was instrumental in organising Christian Living Camps and reflective Ignatian retreats for students of Jesuit and local diocesan schools. As a preacher or lecturer on spiritual or social issues he spoke from the heart, and the passion for his subject was eloquently communicated to his audience.

He was always intrigued by crime and criminal characters, and had developed an early ministry with young offenders at Turana from the late 1960s. In later years he found time to help out at Pentridge and Fairlea prisons. In this work he showed deep compassion, and a great capacity for empathy and forgiveness, which reflected his understanding of the human condition.

James had a sabbatical during 1986, during which he was at various times rector of Xavier College and student at the Jesuit Theological College, Parkville.

He began a new ministry at the Victorian diocesan seminary, Corpus Christi College, Clayton, as spiritual advisor to the students, 1987-91. With a dynamic team of professors and spiritual advisors, James, with his openness to new ideas of formation and ministry following Vatican II, was well received by both staff and students.

Fresh from this experience, he was appointed rector of Campion College, Kew, the house of studies for scholastics studying at the university in 1992. But with reorganisation of the formation process and declining numbers, the scholastics from Campion were sent to live at the Jesuit Theological College, and James became the pastoral advisor at the theologate, 1993-95. He was also chaplain to the students at Xavier College, Burke Hall.

In 1996 he began parish ministry, first as acting superior and parish priest at Norwood, South Australia, 1996, and then, 1997-2003, parish priest at the Immaculate Conception parish, Hawthorn, Victoria. He was also chaplain at St Kevin's school, Toorak.

James was one of the most human and highly respected priests of the province. He was completely at ease with people, never standing on dignity, and relating well to most. He had the good sense of how to deal with those structures and regulations that failed to enhance human life. He was a wonderful companion with a sparkling personality, and always enjoyed a party or a congenial dinner with friends. With his wicked and irreverent sense of humour, yet sensitivity to the feelings of others, he could uplift any drooping spirits. In conversation he reflected well upon life, and engaged people at their own level. His freedom of spirit meant that at times he could be outrageous in dress and opinion especially with those he believed deserved to he shocked, as in his stated belief that Ned Kelly was a saint. However he could also be very conservative in matters liturgical and with other ecclesiastical legalities when he believed it necessary. He was a great promoter of the cause of Saint Mary MacKillop,

He was a most pastoral priest, with great gifts of love, affirming life and helping people to be liberated. He counselled many people, including women religious. He showed special talent for the bereaved and hurt, and was always ready to console anyone he knew to be in need, even if that meant travelling great distances. His funerals were occasions of much comfort. Complicated marriages were also handled with compassion and understanding.

Just before his death he reflected upon the state of the province by observing that he believed the students in Jesuit schools were enriched by their social service programmes. But, a constant theme in his life, he believed that Jesuits needed to touch in a more significant way the spirituality of the affluent in Australian society. He appreciated those Jesuits who were articulate with the media, believing that they were making a credible impact on middle Australia. He asked the question, what does it mean to be thinking with the Church when so many have the option of leaving the Church? He perceived a new spirituality and religious observance on occasions such as Anzac Day. Such reflections were typical of James, always seeking better ways to promote the Kingdom of God.

His death occurred suddenly from heart failure following a few days of pneumonia. He was greatly mourned as pastor and confidant, friend and supporter of many, a great lover of life with an outstanding capacity to understand the complexity of human lives and circumstances.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)