Eugene Kennedy

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Eugene Kennedy – Life, Thought, and Contributions

Eugene Kennedy (1928–2015) was an American psychologist, former Catholic priest, prolific author, and commentator on religion and human experience. Explore his life, writings, psychology & faith integration, and memorable ideas.

Introduction

Eugene Cullen Kennedy was a compelling figure at the intersection of psychology, religion, and public thought. Born on August 28, 1928, and passing away on June 3, 2015, he served as a Maryknoll priest before being laicized, became a professor of psychology at Loyola University Chicago, and authored more than 50 books across theology, counseling, fiction, and social commentary.

Kennedy’s work remains relevant in dialogues about priestly formation, mental health in religious life, and how psychological insight can inform spirituality and institutional reform.

Early Life and Family

Eugene Cullen Kennedy was born in Syracuse, New York to second-generation Irish Americans, James Donald Kennedy and Gertrude Veronica Cullen.

He grew up on Long Island, New York, and graduated from Chaminade High School (Mineola, NY) in 1946.

Education, Priesthood & Psychological Training

Kennedy entered Maryknoll Seminary, where he earned a B.A. in 1950, S.T.B. (Bachelor of Sacred Theology) in 1953, and M.R.E. (Master of Religious Education) in 1954.

Kennedy also pursued formal psychological education:

• M.A. in Psychology, Catholic University of America, 1958

• Ph.D. in Psychology from Catholic University, 1962

He taught psychology at Maryknoll College (Glen Ellyn, Illinois) from about 1960 to 1971.

In 1969, he joined Loyola University Chicago as Professor of Psychology; he remained there until his retirement in 1995 and was named Professor Emeritus.

Laicization, Marriage, and Later Life

In 1977, Kennedy was laicized (i.e. he left the clerical state) and married Sara Charles, M.D., formerly a Maryknoll sister and psychiatrist.

Kennedy continued to write, lecture, and publish until late in life. His last book Believing appeared in 2013.

He died of heart failure at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph, Michigan, on June 3, 2015, near his home in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Career, Writings & Major Contributions

Psychological & Pastoral Research

One of Kennedy’s early and influential contributions was applying psychological insight to priestly formation and the health of the clergy. In the 1960s and 1970s, he and colleagues (notably Frank Kobler) conducted systematic studies of American priests, assessing psychological maturity, conflicts, and the impact of celibacy.

This work was controversial but ahead of its time: Kennedy predicted that many priests who lacked psychological maturity would struggle in ministry, a concern later echoed during clergy sexual abuse crises.

He also was president of APA Division 36 (Psychology of Religion) in 1975–76, helping revitalize phenomenological approaches to psychology and religion.

Authorship Across Genres

Kennedy wrote more than 50 books spanning multiple genres: psychology, theology, spirituality, social commentary, biography, fiction, and drama.

Some major works include:

• The Genius of the Apostolate (1965, with Paul D’Arcy)

• Fashion Me a People (1967) — won a Catholic Book Award

• Comfort My People (1968)

• On Becoming a Counselor (1977) — aimed at non-professional counselors such as teachers, ministers, nurses.

• Himself (1978) — a biography of Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley, awarded literary distinctions.

• This Man Bernardin (1996) — a photographic and biographical tribute to Cardinal Joseph Bernardin.

• Believing (2013) — one of his final works, awarded a Catholic Book Award.

He also wrote three novels (Father’s Day, Queen Bee, Fixes) and a one-man play I Would Be Called John, on the life of Pope John XXIII.

Kennedy served as a columnist for the Chicago Tribune, Religious News Service, and the National Catholic Reporter, often offering reflections on faith, society, and the human condition.

Ideas, Influence & Critique

Kennedy was known as a dissenting voice within Catholicism, calling for reform and greater psychological awareness in the Church.

In Tomorrow’s Catholics, Yesterday’s Church (1988), he characterized two types of Catholics — “Culture I” (traditional, authority-oriented) and “Culture II” (modern, laity-led) — and examined tensions between them.

During the clergy sex abuse scandals, Kennedy was vocally critical of institutional resistance: he once likened the Church to “the Enron of religious institutions” for its opacity and failures.

He also worked to bridge psychology and spirituality, arguing that authenticity, human growth, and inner conflict must be engaged rather than suppressed in religious life.

Personality & Public Presence

Kennedy combined intellectual rigor, pastoral sensitivity, and willingness to challenge norms. He was a frequent lecturer, television commentator, and public speaker on religion and human issues.

Colleagues and critics often described him as a “Renaissance man” — his writings ranged from peer-reviewed psychological scholarship to fiction and social commentary.

He maintained a collaborative relationship with his wife Sara Charles, blending psychological, theological, and legal interests in their joint publications.

Famous Ideas & Quotations

While Kennedy is not widely known for one-liners, a few notable insights reflect his view:

• He described Culture I vs. Culture II Catholics, illuminating the generational and ideological divides within the Church.

• On the Church: during the abuse crisis, he said critics had reason to expect institutional failure: “the institutional church … the Enron of religious institutions.”

• In writing to general audiences, he often reflected on loneliness, human brokenness, and reconciling spiritual ideals with psychological reality (themes recurring in Living With Loneliness, The Pain of Being Human, The Trouble with Being Human).

Legacy & Influence

• Kennedy’s work on the psychology of the clergy remains a reference point in studies of religious life, human formation, and institutional reform.

• His books continue to be read by pastoral ministers, counselors, and those interested in the interface of faith and psychology.

• The Eugene C. Kennedy Papers are held at the University of Notre Dame archives, preserving his manuscripts, correspondence, speeches, and research materials for future study.

• His voice is still cited in debates over priestly celibacy, formation, laity roles in the church, and how institutions might reconcile moral ideals with human realities.

Lessons from Eugene Kennedy

1. Integrate psychology and faith
   Kennedy showed that religious institutions must address psychological maturity and human complexity, not only doctrine.

2. Courage to critique from within
   He remained rooted in his Catholic identity while raising difficult questions and advocating reform.

3. Lifelong authorship & curiosity
   His prolific writing across genres demonstrates sustained intellectual energy and adaptability.

4. Awareness and dialogue over suppression
   Kennedy emphasized that inner conflicts, struggles, and doubt should be engaged with compassion, not hidden.

5. Bridge roles and vocations
   He navigated roles as priest, psychologist, writer, public intellectual, and collaborator — showing that meaningful work often lies in crossing boundaries.

Conclusion

Eugene Kennedy’s life was a rare blend: a man of faith and a scholar of the human psyche. From his early days as a Maryknoll priest to his later role as an outspoken thinker in religion, psychology, and culture, he left a multifaceted legacy. His writings continue to inspire those grappling with questions of identity, spiritual formation, institutional integrity, and the human condition.