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

Philosopher, missionary, work with homeless; born Sydney, NSW, 2 July 1928; died Sydney, 23 December 2018, aged 90.

Raymond Antony Ruhan was educated by the Marist Brothers at Marcellin College, Randwick, NSW. He entered the Jesuits, 1 February 1947 at Loyola College, Watsonia, followed by philosophy studies, 1949-51. He had begun tertiary studies in Engineering at Sydney University in 1946 before entering and completed his university studies in science, majoring in physics at The University of Melbourne, 1953-55. Regency was at St Ignatius' College, Norwood, 1952, and 1956-57, teaching middle school physics.

Theology followed at Canisius College, Pymble, 1958-61, and he was ordained by Bishop James Freeman at St Mary's Church, North Sydney, 6 January 1960. Post graduate studies followed. After the visitation of the province by a Visitor appointed by Rome, Ruhan was awarded the Licentiate in theology in 1961. The Doctorate in Philosophy from the Gregorian University, Rome, was awarded in 1964, and a further Doctorate in the History of Ideas and Methods from the University of Chicago was awarded later. These studies were interrupted with tertianship, 1964-65 at St Andrä im Lavantaal, Austria. Ruhan was professed, 15 August 1968.

Following his return to Australia, Ruhan spent 1969 at Newman College, Melbourne as dean and prefect of studies; St Thomas More College, Perth, with similar jobs in 1970; and in 1971, lectured in philosophy to scholastics at Campion College, while residing at the Jesuit Theological College, Parkville. He was also librarian at the theologate, and was well remembered for his purging of books from the theological library.

Then began a long residence in Papua New Guinea, lecturing in philosophy at the University of Papua New Guinea, 1972-79. These were troubled times in the country, and Ruhan at one time tried to keep warring factions apart. Fellow Australian Jesuit, Ian Dillon, intervened to save his life on one occasion. He also worked in nearby villages, and experienced life on the frontiers.

This was followed by a period in Korea, 1981-93, first, teaching at Sogang University. After a few years he lived with people being evicted by the government from their houses. He remained with them for twelve years, living in acute poverty in the face of rampant corruption. He became a voice for them, but one that was not appreciated by the authorities and he was expelled.

This work for the homeless continued in the province of East Africa, working with the Jesuit Refugee Service, trying to help Sudanese refugees, operating out of Kampala, Uganda, 1994-96. For the most part he lived alone near the camps until UNHCR pulled workers out in the face of attacks from Idi Amin's rebels.

The final stage of his life was living with and working among the disadvantaged and homeless, initially from the soup kitchen at St Canice's, Elizabeth Bay, and then in Surry Hills (1998-2000), and finally in Redfern, Sydney, (2001-18).

Reflecting on Ruhan's life, Chris Horvat mentioned that with two doctorates he was admirably equipped for life as an academic, but he became disillusioned with that milieu in Seoul when it failed to address what he saw as chronic injustice; so, he withdrew from it to devote himself to the poor on the margins and identify with their lot. He called it “playing a different game”. He had scant regard for honorifics, status, or personal achievement, counting his own academic accomplishments as little more than straw. Courageous and challenging, he was never 'normalised'.

In community he was like a caged lion, prone to railing against the educated class. He was happy to retire from public priestly ministry and move into a simple apartment, living the simple life where he died alone at the age of 90. Although gracious to visitors, his temperament was awkward that inclined him to a solitary life. His fierce intellect contrasted with an almost childlike naivety and honesty when it came to assessing people and situations.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)