Priest, Scholastics Sail Soon More Australian Jesuits for India, Catholic Weekly, Sydney, 16 October 1952, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article147086730:

Eight more Australian Jesuits will leave soon to join 15 Australian confreres already working on their newly-established mission in India.

The eight Jesuits—one priest and seven scholastics—will sail from Melbourne on the Mooltan on December 6.

The group will be the third contingent of Australian Jesuits to sail for the Indian mission in less than two years.

The first—a group of six—left Australia about Christmas, 1950, and the second band of nine sailed for India last Christmas.

The eight Jesuits chosen to leave on December 6 this year are the Rev. Father Michael Brady, S.J., and the Revs. Peter Coleman, S.J., Philip Crotty, S.J., Hans Hendricks, S.J., Brian O'Connell, S.J., Gavin O'Sullivan, S.J. Oswald Summerton, S.J., and James Thwaites, S.J.

The Revs. James Thwaites and Gavin O'Sullivan will begin their studies in Theology on arrival in India.

After preliminary studies in the Hindi language, the Revs. Oswald Summerton and Brian O'Connell are to do their teaching in the mission college.

The last three, the Revs. Peter Coleman, Philip Crotty and Hans Hendricks will first complete their studies in the Hindi language and then begin their course in philosophy.[...]

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Eight More Jesuits for New Indian Mission [includes photograph], Advocate, Melbourne, 30 October 1952, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article172527851:

Eight more Australian Jesuits—one priest and seven scholastics—will leave Melbourne on December 6 to join the 15 Australian Jesuits already working in their new mission in India.

[...]

The scholastics are:

[...]

Rev. Philip Crotty, S.J., born at Ararat, Victoria. Educated at St. Kevin's C.B.C., Toorak, and St. Patrick's, Sale. Studying for priesthood at "Loyola," Watsonia. On arrival in India will first study Hindi and then take up his philosophy studies.

[...]

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Gravestone: "Ararat, Ranchi, Mahuadanr, Bhurkunda, Hazaribag, Melbourne, Sydney. Ever a wise and generous friend."

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Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017, post-publication supplement:
Crotty, Phillip (HAZ)

Missionary, provincial, administrator, pastor; born Ararat, Victoria, 3 January 1932; died North Sydney, 7 April 2021, aged 89.

Phillip Crotty was educated by the Marist Brothers at St Patrick's College, Sale, Victoria, and entered the Society at Loyola College, Watsonia, 1 February 1950. After one-year Juniorate at Watsonia, Crotty was assigned to India, leaving Australia in December 1952.

In 1953, he immediately studied Hindi in Ranchi. Philosophy at Pune followed, 1954-1957, and regency at Maheshmunda, 1957-58, where he taught in the primary school and cared for the boarders. Then he worked at St Xavier's University College, Ranchi, 1958-59, teaching English and supervising hostels.

Further Hindi studies were undertaken in 1960 at Ranchi. Theology at St Mary's Kurseong, Darjeeling followed, 1961-56, and he was ordained by Archbishop Pius Kerketta SJ at the Church of the Transfiguration, Hazaribag, 21 March 1964. For two years, 1965-1966, Crotty was headmaster of St Joseph's Middle school in Mahuadanr. With this experience, Crotty developed an inclination towards the tribal people, their customs, outlook, zest for living, and cultural expressions. So, he undertook further studies at the Delhi School of Economics, 1967-69, graduating Master of Arts in Social Anthropology. During this time Crotty kept contact with the activities of the people in Mahuadanr. Tertianship followed in 1969 at Sitagarha. Even during this time, Crotty spent a month living with an Oraon Catholic family in the Chhechari. He wanted to know how these people lived, and to pick up some of their language.

His first appointment after studies was as parish priest at Mahuadanr, Hazaribag, 1970-77, a district well known to Crotty from his time there during regency. It was during those days that foundations were laid of a lasting and very fruitful missiological, pastoral and educational relationship for working with the tribals in the communities of the Chhechari Valley, especially the Oraon group. Crotty worked closely with Ken McNamara in this work.

Crotty initiated a whole new pastoral approach. Prior to Crotty, the accepted style of pastoral visitation was for the priest to visit an area in blocks of five, staying a night and day in each. He would stay at night in the village chapel, with food provided by the locals. He would be away for a week. Crotty no longer slept in the chapel, but stayed in the homes of local Christians, eating, and sleeping with them. Closer relationships developed.

Crotty also relied on the advice of the locals to inform him as to who needed the sacraments. Pre-marriage information was also given by the locals. Shared pastoral care resulted with a strengthening of community spirit. Tribal dancing was reintroduced for community and liturgical celebrations.

Another challenge for Crotty was the idea of moving the parish centre to another site. While the proposal was pleasing to the diocesan officials, the locals were vehement in opposition. Their wishes were eventually accepted.

At the end of May 1977, Crotty was transferred from Mahuadanr to become parish priest at Bhurkunda, where he was involved with the relocation of the parish school on land south of the church. Crotty also invited the Holy Cross Sisters to establish a small community at the Barthua village in the Karanpura Valley.

Crotty was then made regional superior from May 1980 until 1986. He was considered very well informed about pastoral and educational developments in the Mission, as well as having knowledge of the scholastics whom he had accompanied during their formation. In this role as superior, Crotty was experienced by his colleagues as always friendly, easy to talk to, ready to listen, and showed the ability to adapt to people and jobs. His advice to others was both spiritual and practical, showing good judgment, which was much appreciated.

Following a sabbatical in 1986, he became Director of the Regional theologate at Tarunoday, Ranchi, 1987-1989, and then, was again sent as parish priest of Mahuadanr, 1990-99. This time he renovated the church building and set up a special hostel accommodation for the children of the Korwa people who lived in a village some distance form Mahuadanr. Later Crotty was appointed parish priest of Hazaribag, 1999-2001.

Crotty worked in India for 48 years, becoming a pillar of the Hazaribag mission, enabling it to grow into a Region, then a Province. Upon hearing of Crotty's death, the provincial of Hazaribag, Santosh Minj, said that Crotty was 'one of the pillars of Hazaribag province. He was a good pastor and a leader. People found in him love, respect, and warmth'.

Fellow missionary, Robert Slattery, thought that the best description of Crotty in was that he was an all-rounder, and the last Australian regional superior of Hazaribag. Crotty particularly enjoyed the pastoral ministry, and he revelled in that work. In this ministry, Crotty was experienced as a very friendly pastor, but he could also be challenging.

Crotty returned to Australia to work in the Melbourne Mission Office, Richmond, 2001-2007, until appointed Director of Jesuit Mission, Sydney, 2008-2014, residing at the parish of St Canice's, Elizabeth Bay. His Indian visa had expired, and he was unable to return to India. He then moved to the parish of Our Lady of the Way, North Sydney, as assistant priest and was involved in spiritual direction, 2015-2021.

In Australia, Crotty was described as a man of inspiration and warmth. Former Australian provincial, Brian McCoy, praised his wisdom and humour, often laced with clarity and directness. This was a great gift and blessing to many. Faith, mission, and companionship were present in abundance. Many people were grateful for his company, friendship, and advice. Renato Zecchin experienced Crotty as a man with a big heart and a generous spirit, while David Holcroft said that at St Canice's, Crotty was a good community man, loved simple pleasures, Indian food, and Friday night movies. On a light note, it was observed that Crotty was a passionate supporter of the Melbourne AFL team, Collingwood, a team supported by only very few Jesuit colleagues.

Overall, Crotty was experienced as welcoming, gentle, and open to all. It was his friendship that his friends would miss.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)