Below is a transcript from my PenTV Interview of John Kelly on February 11, 2008
Click here to learn more about the man, and the book I wrote that he inspired.
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Teaser:
Hello, my guest today is John Kelly, a fallen-away Catholic Priest who acts like Jesus. Next on Spiritual Choices.
Open:
My name is Tom Huening and this is Spiritual Choices on PenTV.
With me today is a Christian at heart – John Kelly. John helped found Samaritan House, a San Mateo County charity that looks after the poor.
Tom – Tell me about Samaritan House. How did it come about, what does it do?
John – Samaritan House provides free daily meals (no questions asked); it operates a winter homeless shelter; no cost medical clinics; a free clothing store for kids; a workers resource center; and job and life counseling.
Tom – Tell me about your priest career and why you left.
John – I was a parish and then a high school teaching priest. I finally out grew the Church and left so I could directly help the poor and promote social justice.
Tom – What’s right and what’s wrong with organized religion today?
John – For one thing they are too focused on sex. They are dogma and ritual bound instead of following the message of Jesus and helping the poor, the sick and the imprisoned.
Tom – Describe God for you. Is God a he? Is there a heaven and hell? How about purgatory or limbo?
John – God is not a him or her and not this super human being above the clouds. God is in our hearts and all of creation and not really understandable by mere humans.
Tom – I know you are a Rotarian in San Mateo and support their community efforts. What is your main pursuit in retirement?
John – I regularly visit the inmates at San Quentin State prison and conduct programs to help them lead productive lives in prison and when they are released.
Tom – Tell us about San Quentin and how long your term was. Seriously, why do you go there and what do you do?
John – I work with “lifers” and murderers and the rejects of society.
Tom – Describe a typical visit from the time you arrive.
John – We have discussions and they get in touch with taking responsibility for their crimes and hopefully decide to still contribute to society in any way that is open to them.
Tom – You taught High School. What is your advice to young people today?
John – The future is in their hands. Hopefully they will straighten out some of the messes we have created.
Tom – You said once you’d write a book if you had time. What would be the subject? What would be the lesson or point?
John – Well I’d like to write about my experiences or teaching high school and working with “lifers” as well as registering voters during the civil rights movements. I think I’ve had some interesting life experiences.
Tom – If you had one message to our viewing audience, what would it be?
John – Listen to the original and simple words of Jesus about loving your neighbor and be open to the beliefs and practices of those who believe in other spiritual practices.
