He's a priest today, and I knew him from my seminary days.
I would describe him as "quick". He talked kind of fast, etc. so he's certainly above-average intelligent. He has an Australian accent, has lots of zeal, and is ethnically Lebanese.
We actually got along well, because we were both zealous and particularly non-worldly. We were interested in world events insofar as they affected souls, etc.
Not everyone has the particular skill of writing well, like some here on CathInfo (Raoul76, Gladius, and myself come to mind)
Remember: it's one thing to know your stuff; another thing to be able to TEACH that stuff in a clear manner to others. Two different skills.
Being a clear, talented WRITER is another skill, but usually goes together with being a good teacher.
Matthew