Eugene Kennedy Biography: Catholic Priest, Author & Theologian | Inspiring Faith Journey for Modern Christians

I was born and grew up a Chicago Catholic, and remained in the city until 1979. I knew of Eugene Kennedy through my friends who were his students at Loyola University (I went to DePaul) and from his writings in local publications. I’ve read a number of his books, including My Brother Joseph and The Unhealed Wound. What I didn’t know until I read Mr. Van Ornum’s book is how broad and how deep Kennedy’s thought and writings were.Kennedy was a psychologist and counselor, and he saw the Roman Catholic Church as two separate but intersecting cultures: The institutional church (its clergy, hierarchy, seminaries, and parishes) and ordinary Catholics living their Catholic faith. Many of his works are rooted in the challenges emerging from this model. Mr. Van Ornum touches on most of Kennedy’s books, some quickly, some at more depth. Although his works on psychology and theology are better known, Kennedy also wrote two novels, a biography of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, a biography of Chicago’s Mayor Richard J. Daley, as well as a play depicting the life and work of Pope John XXIII. Kennedy got some pushback here and there for his liberal positions, but he made friends well and avoided being as provocative as some other critics of Catholicism.The book is a quick read and laser-focused on Eugene Kennedy’s life's work, writing and counseling. All of this comes through the author’s clear and affectionate descriptions of the man and his attitude toward life and God. I also came away with a list of Kennedy’s books that I’d like to read and re-read. Highly recommended.