Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017, post-publication supplement:
Wilcken, John

Theologian, chaplain; born Sydney, 13 September 1930; died Melbourne, 3 September 2017, aged 86.

John Stewart Wilcken grew up in West Pennant Hills, and was educated first at De La Salle College, Oakhill, NSW, and then because of the war, the school was relocated to Ashfield. Here he particularly enjoyed science. As he finished schooling at age 16, his parents advised him to enrol for Arts, majoring in English, at Sydney University, where he graduated with honours in 1951. Briefly after that, he worked as a public servant working in the Prime Minister's Department in Canberra.

Then he entered the Jesuits at Loyola College, Watsonia, 1 February 1952. After philosophy studies, 1954-56, regency was at St Aloysius' College, Milsons Point, Sydney, 1957-59, where to his horror he was asked to teach economics, a subject about which he knew little. However, being the good teacher, his students performed well in the Leaving Certificate examinations. He also taught middle school English, and was prefect of the choir, in charge of the student library, and assisted in publishing the college magazine.

Theology at Canisius College, Pymble, 1960-63, followed, and he was ordained by Archbishop Justin Symonds at St Patrick's Cathedral, East Melbourne, 2 January 1963. Tertianship was at St Andrä im Lavantaal, Austria, 1964-65. Then he undertook post graduate studies in dogmatic theology, first at the Gregorian, Rome, and finishing at Heythrop College, UK. His doctoral thesis was on Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He was professed, 2 February 1971.

Upon returning to Australia, Wilcken spent most of his working life teaching dogmatic theology to the Jesuit scholastics and seminarians in Melbourne, residing mainly at the Jesuit Theological College, 1968-2010. For the years 1986-1992, and again 1995-2017 he resided at the house for the homeless at Greenvale, Victoria, and was superior during part of that time. He also lived at Richmond, 1993-1994. This was in accordance with his desires to be more closely associated with the poor. After retirement from teaching, and experiencing declining health, he continued to live at Greenvale with pastoral activities until moving finally to MacKillop Aged Care, Hawthorn East, 4 August 2017.

Wilcken was an excellent teacher of theology, with 'a particular passion for bringing theology into dialogue with the needs of the world, from ecological justice to reconciliation between Aboriginal and settler Australians', as stated by Professor Peter Sherlock, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Divinity. He also developed theological concern with liberation theology, feminist theology and Asian and African theologies. Colleagues appreciated 'his gentleness, astute insights, careful thought and personal humility', as well as his practical life of poverty, and dedication to the poor. He was a prophetic figure to many fellow Jesuits.

At Greenvale he was praised for his many years of service and leadership. His quiet, influencing presence in the daily lives of the residents was much appreciated. He was 'our friend, our confidant, a fellow resident and a fellow worker'. He fostered the idea that Greenvale was a home, a place where the residents could find dignity combined with a sense of belonging, that they knew they were loved and able to love. He worked faithfully in educating new staff to the vision that underpinned the residence.

His sister-in-law, Bridget Wilcken, praised 'his quiet, unpretentious, and self-effacing manner, blended with an incredible firmness about things that matter…'

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)