Dr Laurence Ryan, who has died aged 72, was a former bishop of Kildare and Leighlin. A theologian known for his keen analytic mind, he was regarded as a progressive and was widely respected in the Irish church. A strong and courageous advocate of justice, he was a staunch defender of human rights, especially the rights of the weak and the poor.
He was born on May 13th, 1931, in St Mullins in south Co Carlow, one of five children of Michael and Brigid Ryan. Educated at Glynn National School and St Mary's College, Knockbeg, he entered St Patrick's College, Maynooth, to study for the priesthood and was ordained in 1956. Within two years he obtained his doctorate in theology.
Appointed to the staff of St Patrick's College, Carlow (now Carlow College), in 1958 he taught theology and served as vice-president before becoming president in 1974. A hard-working, courteous and efficient administrator, he combined his considerable teaching and administrative workload with a hectic involvement in religious affairs nationally. Past students remember him as a dedicated teacher who never forgot a name - even after 40 years.
Highly respected at national level, his was a voice of commonsense liberalism. He was secretary of the Irish Theological Association (1966-76) and was appointed as the first president of the National Conference of Priests of Ireland in 1976.
He was chairman of the National Jubilee 2000 Committee and also served as president of the Irish Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace. He was a founder member of the Catholic Marriage Advice and Counselling service (now Accord) in the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin.
Trained as a counsellor, he worked for many years preparing people for marriage. He became parish priest of Naas, Co Kildare, in 1980. This gave him hands-on experience of pastoral life, and it was while he was in Naas that he was named co-adjutor bishop of the diocese. In December 1987 he succeeded Bishop Patrick Lennon, taking as his motto, Minister Christi Jesu (Servant Minister of Christ Jesus).
Both as a theologian and bishop he tirelessly encouraged lay people to fully participate in the life of the church. He set up a network of committees which involved lay people at parish pastoral council level, at deanery level and diocesan level, and he directed think-tanks to examine every aspect of diocesan policy and planning.
One of the major projects he oversaw as bishop was the renovation of the Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow, which was formally rededicated in June 1997. The renovation was necessary not only to maintain the fabric of the building but also to give expression to the renewal introduced by the Second Vatican Council; central to that renewal was the principle of active participation by the congregation in the liturgical celebration.
A contributor to both the Furrow and the Irish Theological Quarterly, books were Bishop Ryan's most valued possessions. Diagnosed with a serious heart condition in 1985, ill health forced him to take early retirement in 2002. Throughout his life he retained a strong attachment to his home parish and family, never losing touch with his roots. Only weeks before his death he was at Dr Cullen Park to watch St Mullins play in the Carlow county hurling championship.
Predeceased by his brother Jim, his sister Maggie and brothers Pat and Mick survive him.
Laurence Ryan: born, May 13th, 1931; died, October 13th, 2003