“Billy was perhaps the most colourful Jesuit in the UK in recent years. In his own way, he was a revolutionary,” his fellow Jesuit, Joe Munitiz, told us.

“BILLY was perhaps the most colourful Jesuit in the UK in recent years. In his own way, he was a revolutionary,” his fellow Jesuit, Joe Munitiz, told us.

Fr William “Billy” George O’Connell (he was proud of his family’s links with Daniel O’Connell) Hewett died on 17 February. He was born in Malaysia, the son of an Indian army officer, in 1932, and educated at Stonyhurst, where he taught for several years, before moving to the Way community in London, and later to Campion Hall.

He will be remembered for revitalising the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius through the use of music and innovative techniques drawn from psychotherapy. He launched Inigo Enterprises, which combined retreat work with influential publications and cassettes.

Get Instant Access

Continue Reading

Register for free to read this article in full

REGISTER

Subscribe for unlimited access

SUBSCRIBE NOW

From just £37.50 quarterly

  Print copy of The Tablet delivered directly to your door.
  Complete access to all Tablet website content including all premium content.
  Access to the weekly digital copy of The Tablet.
  Full access to The Tablet’s archive – over 180 years of back issues.

Already a subscriber? Login