Rest in Peace Fr Bill Dwyer SJ (1930-2024).
With great sadness, we share the news of the passing of Fr William (Bill) Dwyer SJ (1930–2024).
Fr Bill entered the Society of Jesus on 2 February 1948, at Loyola College in Watsonia, Victoria.
After completing his novitiate and juniorate at the same college, he embarked on a lifelong mission to India in 1952, joining the second group of Australian Jesuits to serve there.
Fr Bill left a profound legacy, uplifting tribal communities through education and spiritual direction.
Jesuit Mission companions Fr Paul Horan SJ and Fr Tony Herbert SJ fondly remember their time with Fr Bill during language school in Allahabad.
"He was a good friend of mine. He was very warm and welcoming, sharing his experience and advice. Tony and I felt very supported. We all lived together in Allahabad for six months, and it was a very happy house,” says Fr Paul.
"Later he became the Principal of St Xavier’s College. He spoke very high-class Hindi that often left native speakers raising their eyebrows in shock when speaking with him."
Fr Bill’s dedication to serving the people extended to learning the tribal language Oraon. Fr Paul witnessed Fr Bill’s first homily in Oraon during a Christmas Mass in Jharkhand, a moment of deep connection with the community.
Fr Bill went on to study for a PhD in Hindi, focusing on Kabir, a mystic and saint of Hinduism, who was also regarded as a Sufi by Muslims.
"Bill’s work and studies were very ecumenical, to bring Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity together. As an educator, he valued and recognised the importance of interfaith dialogue to better understand and connect with the local people," says Fr Paul.
In addition to his interfaith contributions, Fr Bill was a key spiritual director for many religious congregations, frequently visiting them even after retiring at 60.
Ancita D'Cunh, a supporter of Jesuit Mission, recalls visiting Fr Bill in Hazaribag.
"How gracious, considerate, and kind a man Bill was. I was humbled to see how he and the other Jesuits treat their staff at every level and each other," said Ancita.
"One of the nuns, Sr Valsa Mathews, was in a horrific accident but recovered amazingly thanks to the loving care of people like him. Bill helped her by supplying books in large print so that she didn’t have to hold them up, and he visited her often, encouraging her to get better,” said Ancita.
Fr Bill was near and dear to many of our supporters, serving as a Hazaribag missionary for many decades and as the Assistant Director of Jesuit Mission in Melbourne from 2007 to 2008, before returning to Hazaribag in 2009.
We keep him, his friends, and his family in our thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace.
Click here to watch a video of Fr Bill reflecting on his experiences living in India, from the ABC Documentary 'Into India' made in 2016.
Click here to watch Fr Bill's funeral.
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