Biblical scholar.

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Australian Dictionary of Biography entry: https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/scullion-john-james-14872

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Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
Scullion, John

Scripture scholar, writer, ecumenist; born Melbourne, 26 February 1925; died Melbourne, 24 November 1990, aged 65.

John Scullion grew up in North Melbourne, and his loyalty to the area remained throughout his life. His father was a bookmaker, so it is not surprising that he had a life-long interest in horse racing. For his schooling he went first to St Joseph's CBC, North Melbourne, and then to St Kevin's, Toorak, which was a central school for the two final secondary years of education.

Upon leaving school, Scullion entered the Jesuit noviciate at Watsonia, 2 February 1942. He took his Jesuit studies very seriously, and was a systematic student. He enjoyed the classics and in 1947 began a classics degree at the University of Melbourne; finally obtaining a first class honours degree. He then began an MA, which he obtained with first class honours. He left Watsonia after ten years.

These years were followed by two years of regency at St Ignatius' College, Riverview, where he taught, coached sport and was involved with the boarders. Scullion was a perfectionist in everything he did, even gaining his rugby referee badge. He enjoyed sport, especially cricket, and his knowledge was encyclopedic.

Four years of theology followed at Canisius College, Pymble, and he was ordained, 3 January 1957. Soon after he was sent to the Biblical Institute, Rome, to begin a licentiate. Augustine Bea was the rector of the Biblicum at the time, a man who was part of the new movement in biblical scholarship.

In 1961, having completed the licentiate, Scullion did his tertianship at Munster under Aloysius Stein. This sojourn perfected his deep knowledge of the German language, which later enabled him to translate the works of Claus Westermann, professor of Old Testament at the University of Heidelberg. At the same time he mastered Swedish, and was a devotee of the films of Bergman.

He returned in 1962 to Canisius College, Pymble, where he taught scripture and biblical Greek. In 1964 he also taught at Corpus Christi College, Glen Waverley. As a lecturer he was clear and direct, well prepared, learned, thorough and tenacious in the pursuit of academic excellence. He was committed to high standards of scholarship.

In 1965-66 he was free to return to Europe to complete his doctorate at the Institut Catholique, Paris, his thesis entitled, 'Studies in Isaiah, 55-66'.

He was back at Canisius in 1967 teaching Old Testament, biblical theology and Hebrew, and the following year was at Glen Waverley. Scullion was one of the major advocates for the move of the Jesuit theologate from Sydney to Melbourne in 1969. He believed that the theology lecturers and theological studies would benefit from the ecumenical contact with the Melbourne College of Divinity, and communicated a sense of assurance as the theologate grew in its new surroundings.

Scullion taught at the United Faculty of Theology from its inception until his death. He taught elsewhere occasionally, particularly at the Catholic Theological College and his main subject was Old Testament.

He liked all sorts of things - worldly, simple things: he liked funny hats, and the races, and the works of Wodehouse. But all this was a holiday from what was most at his heart: and that was a commitment to Christ and the comradeship of the Society.

Scullion was a disciple of the Word and a biblical scholar of distinction, joining with his Jewish and Christian colleagues in tireless work on the scriptures.

He did not limit himself to teaching and research. He was director of the Joint Library Committee, which had produced the best theological library in Australia. He was involved in ecumenical activities, serving on diocesan committees. With Bill Smith he was a pioneer in promoting closer relations with the Jewish community and was a friend of local rabbis. He was also a chaplain to one of the Teams of Our Lady.

From 1977-79 he was president of the United Faculty of Theology, and was a good administrator. He was a significant presence in scriptural working groups associated with the Catholic Biblical Association of Australia.

Scullion moved to Newman College as 'Scholar in residence' in 1981, and he remained there until his death, with no local commitments except celebrating Mass in the college chapel. However, the students and tutors, whom he regaled with anecdotal stories of scholarship, travel and sport, appreciated his presence in the senior common room. His annual retreat was made with the Cistercians at Tarrawarra, while during the summer vocation he went to Canberra with many books to read.

In his 20 years of teaching, Scullion had sabbaticals at regular intervals. In 1980, when visiting the Holy Land, he had a fall when visiting an archaeological site. When he was slow in recovering, it was diagnosed that he had myeloma - cancer of the bone marrow. On his return to Melbourne he began treatment immediately. The chemotherapy left him nauseated and prone to infections, but he continued his lecturing, translating and research, living as normally as possible. This pattern of life continued for the next ten years, borne with cheerfulness and resignation.

It was at this time that he produced his translation of Westermann's three volumes on Genesis - a great contribution to scholarship. He also wrote a number of articles for the Anchor Bible Dictionary and worked on his own commentary on Genesis. He translated Rolf Rendtorff's monograph, The Problem of the Process of Transmission in the Pentateuch, (1990), and Norbert Lohfink's, The Covenant Never Revoked.

Towards the end of 1988 Scullion left Australia for a sabbatical that included a semester of teaching at the Gregorian University in Rome. He also spent sometime at Heidelberg. It was while he was in Rome that his health deteriorated and it became necessary for him to return to Australia, with Bob Walsh in attendance. He spent this last year preparing manuscripts for publication.

Scullion was one of the foremost Old Testament scholars in Australia, as well as a man with an international reputation. His writings were numerous, including The Theology of Inspiration (1970), Isaiah 55-56, Isaiah 40-66 (1982 & 1990), as well as contributions to the New Catholic Commentary and the Anchor Bible Commentary. Other books included Original Sin, and God's Creation and Human Responsibility for the Earth.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)