Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
Foreword: "we acknowledge that some of the men in this book are the subject of allegations of abuse. [...] where there has been clear evidence leading us to accept that serious violations are likely to have occurred, we have marked the person’s entry with two asterisks."
McInerney, James **

Philosopher, administrator, university chaplain, novice master; born St Peter's, Adelaide, South Australia, 13 March 1915; died Melbourne, 25 September 1989, aged 74.

James McInerney was educated at CBC Rostrevor, and probably influenced by Father Wilfred Ryan at Norwood, entered the Society, 22 February 1932, at Loyola College, Greenwich. His juniorate studies were completed from Watsonia, including an arts degree in Latin and Greek from the University of Melbourne in 1936. Philosophy followed, and regency was at Riverview, 1940-43, where he was assistant to the second division prefect, as well as teaching mainly English and mathematics.

He studied theology at Canisius College, Pymble, and he was ordained in 1947. Tertianship was in 1949 at Watsonia. During his Jesuit studies he was frequently called upon to be the student leader, the beadle.

After tertianship, his first appointment was to Corpus Christi College, Werribee, 1950-65, where he taught philosophy, scripture and English, as well as being rector from 1958. He began to implement the reforms of Vatican II, and had a weekend apostolate to the local Italian market gardeners, and to the Children of Mary. At the end of his rectorship he was very tired and developed a bad neck, forcing him to hospital for traction. He wore a surgical collar for sometime.

Then he spent a year at the Holy Name Seminary, New Zealand. He was refreshed by this experience and went to Newman College, the University of Melbourne, as chaplain to the college and to the university, 1967-69.

His next appointment was as rector of Aquinas College, Adelaide, 1970-75. Here he found administration and financial responsibility difficult, and the college had problems maintaining student numbers. His apostolate included work as chaplain to the Guild of St Luke, and giving retreats and spiritual direction.

His next appointment was as rector and novice master at Canisius College, Pymble, 1977-82. It was said that the provincial of the time wanted him to communicate something of the spirituality of his own master of novices, John Corcoran. This he did, modified by the spirit of Vatican II, and the renewal in the Society relating to the Spiritual Exercises and the early spirit of the founders.

In 1983 McInerney was given a sabbatical, where he renewed himself in current spirituality, and returned to Australia and parish work at St Ignatius', Norwood. Here he gave many retreats, which included non-Catholics. He was even appointed superior at Sevenhill in 1986 while residing at Norwood, a situation that did not last long!

His final appointment was as chaplain at Newman College, Melbourne, 1987-89, at the request of Bill Uren, the new rector.

His last sickness came suddenly when it was discovered that he had an obstruction of the bowel. His death, two months later after three major operations, came suddenly from heart attacks.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)