Father Simon Decloux, a Belgian Jesuit died on Monday, April 9. in Brussels.

Father Decloux was born in Petit-Rechain (Province of Liège, Belgium) on 30 November 1930. After his studies at the Collège Saint-François-Xavier in Verviers (East of Belgium), he joined the Society of Jesus on September 14, 1948. Ordained priest on August 6, 1958, he did a doctoral thesis in philosophy in Rome, on the thought of Emmanuel Levinas.

After his formation he taught theology and history of philosophy in Eegenhoven (Leuven); he exercised various responsibilities in the formation of Belgian Jesuits, delicate tasks in the post-Council period: there he showed a wise and peaceful openness that earned him the equal esteem of his young confreres and his superiors. In 1970 he became Provincial of the South-Belgium Province.

After five years of this mandate, he was called to Rome and became delegate of Father Arrupe for international houses. He assumed this task for eight years (1975-1983). It was at this time that he met the founders of the Sant'Egidio community, whose beginnings he accompanied and to which he remained very attached. At the 33rd General Congregation, in 1983, he became Assistant and Admonitor of Father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach.

In 1995 he was sent to the Central Africa Province and became rector of the scholasticate and the Faculty of Philosophy at Kimwenza. In 2001, still in Kimwenza, he moved from the scholasticate to the Spiritual Center where he was superior and director until 2009.

Back in Belgium he collaborated in NRT (Nouvelle Revue Théologique) and gave spiritual Exercises with a very personal wisdom. Among his publications : many philosophy articles but also four "eight-day retreats" - listening to the four Gospels: Luke (2002), Matthew (2006), Mark (2007), John (2009). These books have been translated into English and Spanish.