Farewell to an Augustinian Scholar

Published: 10 March 2016

On 9 March 2016 the death occurred of an Augustinian scholar, Fr George Patrick Lawless O.S.A.
For decades he has been highly regarded for his quality writings about the philosophy and theology of Augustine of Hippo not only is his native USA but also in Australia and throughout the world.

He was born in Pennsylvania in 1930, in in late adolescence began the training to become an Augustinian. He was professed into the Order on 10 September 1948 and then ordained to the priesthood on 4 February 1956, at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC. He taught at tertiary institutions in the eastern United States. In 1980 he was transferred to the Collegio Santa Monica, Rome, where he taught at the Augustinianum, the Order’s Patristic Institute, from 1980 to 2011. He received his doctorate from the Angelicum University, Rome, in 1985. He also taught at the Angelicum as adjunct professor, and at the Gregorian University until 2005. In 2009, Father George received a Doctorate in Augustinian Studies, honoris causa, from Merrimack College, North Andover, Massachusetts. In January 2012, due to declining health, he returned to his home Province and was assigned to St. Thomas of Villanova Monastery, Villanova, Pennsylvania.

Video: Augustine Growing Up
A lecture by the late Fr George Lawless OSA at Villanova University, USA. He was an Augustinian scholar until his death on 9 March 2016. (YouTube, one hour in duration).

Fr Lawless was well known to many Augustinian priests in Australia, who were taught by him during their studies for priesthood either in the United States or in Rome. He visited Australia in May 2008, when he gave guest lectures in Augustinians schools and parishes and at the Canberra campus of the Catholic University of Australia.