This phrase, which meant so much to Fr. Kevin Kelly, is an apt synopsis of the lives and ministries of Fr. Kevin, Fr. Tom Cullinan and Fr. Austin Smith. This website brings together the learning and insights these three remarkable priests gained, sometimes with difficulty and pain, misunderstanding and resistance, but always shared with humility and conviction in the presence of a living God, of the Risen One who takes our potential seriously and our failings in his stride. They recognised that their discipleship and priestly ministries, each engaged with the world to continue the work of Jesus....
As Disciples
they were aware that we are part of the unfolding, living tradition that allowed Peter’s incomplete but eager faith to be the foundation rock upon which Jesus could build his community of living stones. The awareness that the incarnate, crucified and risen Christ always calls followers onwards, to constantly put out into deeper waters was key to their lives and work. Each was therefore restless, each ‘disturbed by the peace of Christ’.
As Priests
they recognisedand named the dangers of a church whose pastoral and teaching roles were unable to grow with new scientific, scriptural, theological and an ever-changing understanding of human nature, leaving it isolated from and impervious to the realities of the world it serves.
As Prophets
they refused to compromise with contemporary thought and mores, religious or secular, that in any way meant they ceased to speak the truths that challenged the falsehoods that isolate and diminish individuals and peoples.
As Teachers
they recognised that the constant search for a deeper understanding of God’s presence in our unfolding history, allowed for error and stumbling, for fears and limitations but would not settle for mediocrity.
We hope that you will wander the paths marked out by these three remarkably gifted priests discovering how their ministries, though different, constantly brought the church into the world, to discover there the Incarnate, Risen Christ.
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Listening to the Margins for hope
Exploring how the different lives of Austin, Tom and Kevin were each examples of "Listening to the margins for hope. A talk by Christine Allen, Director of CAFOD
Prophetic Trajectories of Hope from San Salvador to Liverpool: A Celebration of the ministries of Oscar Romero, Austin Smith, Tom Cullinan and Kevin Kelly.
A talk by David McLoughlin,
Emeritus Fellow of Christian Theology
Newman University