Fr. Anthony Ryan, always called Tony, was born in Gisborne, New Zealand on 27th October, 1939, and entered the Jesuit novitiate at Loyola College, Watsonia, Melbourne, Australia, on 17th February, 1958. After completing Philosophy studies, Tony followed in the footsteps of fellow Kiwis, Bernie Donnelly and Steve Daly to join the Hazaribag mission in 1963. After regency in St. Xavier’s Hazaribag and in the Teachers Training Institute, Sitagarha, and theology in St. Mary’s College, Kurseong, West Bengal, he was ordained on 5th March, 1969.
Tony’s appointments as a treasurer for very many years showed his complete obedience and dedication to a very important mission for the diocese and the Society. It was a hidden mission, unlike the mission of Jesuits in schools, parishes, and social works. Altogether, he was 33 years as treasurer, either of the diocese or the Province. And finally, from 2007 to 2018, he was the assistant treasurer of the Province. Because of his tireless work on investments, he improved the financial situation of the Province, thus enabling the Province to open many schools for dalits and tribals.
Besides his major ministry as treasurer, Tony was also Vicar General of the Daltonganj Diocese, and Superior of the Teachers Training Institute, Sitagarha, and Vivek Sadan community, Daltonganj. Though he ministered in important works of the Society and the Diocese, he kept a low profile, preferring to work humbly in the ministry assigned to him. Then for four years, he bore his sickness quietly and bravely, until he surrendered his soul completely to the Lord on 5th June, 2022. The Hazaribag Province is grateful to the Australian Province for the care of Tony in his last three years.
Bob Slattery, SJ
