John Molony remembered as priest and professor

A group of Ballarat residents known as the Friends of John Molony held a tribute to honour the late historian and celebrate his contributions to the city and the nation.

Mr Molony was an Irish Australian Catholic who grew up in Ballarat, supported the Australian Labor Party, and barracked for Carlton before passing away in 2018. He was ordained a priest in Rome in 1950.

In his opening address Phillip Moore, planning committee member, said Mr Molony had a profound influence on the community.

“John’s energy, commitment, scholarship and ideas have been and still are an inspiration for us as we address our spiritual life,” he said.

Jim Ross, former member of Young Christian Workers, described Mr Molony as intellectually challenging but also optimistic with a good sense of humour.

“He was a sower of seeds, encouraging people to do things, to be proactive,” Mr Ross said. “John believed the laity, not just the clergy had a role in the church.

“He didn’t make contacts he made friends.”

John McKinnon, retired Catholic priest, reminisced on Mr Molony’s time in Rome after his ordination.

He spoke of Mr Molony’s dedication to a pocket of poor people living in makeshift shelters on the outskirts of the city, with whom he formed strong bonds of friendship.

“John has a unique and personal relationship with God and he wanted to share it with every other human and creature,” Mr McKinnon said. “When John was no longer a priest in the diocese, he said he never left the priesthood he left the clerical state.”

Mr Molony began his career at Australian National University in 1964 as a research assistant in medieval history in the School of Social Science, the same year he moved on from the priesthood.

He went on to become Head of the Department of History and to hold the Manning Clark Chair of Australian History from 1982 until his retirement from the University in 1990.

On his retirement, the ANU appointed Molony as an Emeritus Professor of History.