Bernard Kennedy facts for kids

Bernard Peter Mel Kennedy (born 20 May 1952) is an Irish expert in understanding the human mind, a poet, and a priest. He was born in Dublin, Ireland.

Early Life and Education

Bernard Peter Mel Kennedy was born on 20 May 1952. His parents were William Augustine Kennedy and Alice Kennedy.

He became a priest in 1979 at Holy Cross Seminary in Dublin. He studied a lot to become an expert in understanding how people think and feel. He earned a Master of Arts (MA) degree from the University of Sheffield in 2002. His project was about understanding human feelings.

Later, he earned a Master of Science (MSc) degree from University College Dublin in 2004. His project explored human relationships. In 2006, he completed his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. His PhD focused on how certain feelings or behaviors show up in people, based on the ideas of Freud and Lacan.

Career Paths

As a Priest

Bernard Kennedy started his work as a deacon in 1978 in Dublin. A deacon is a helper to a priest. In 1979, he became a priest. That same year, he helped lead youth groups and taught religious education.

In 1982, he became a spiritual counselor at a hospital. The next year, he became a chaplain at a convent and helped lead spiritual groups.

In a book from 2013, Kennedy talked about why the Church's influence in Ireland was changing. He suggested that being too focused on outside rules and not enough on inner strength might be reasons. He also thought that focusing too much on the "mother" figure in religious symbols, rather than the "father" figure, could be a reason.

Since September 2017, Kennedy has been the main priest in Enniskerry. He works for the Archdiocese of Dublin.

Understanding the Mind

Kennedy follows a way of thinking about the mind called Lacanianism. This idea believes that what people truly "desire" is very important.

In 2005, Kennedy wrote about how people connect with each other and how they express their feelings. He suggested that all love involves a kind of connection where feelings are transferred.

He also wrote about the author James Joyce in 2005. Kennedy explored how the idea of fatherhood was important in Joyce's stories. He believed that family history and experiences can leave a mark on future generations. He looked at how Joyce's writings showed deep ideas about the human mind.

Kennedy strongly believes that certain feelings or behaviors come from our unconscious mind. He described them as a "knot" of feelings from past experiences. These feelings are shaped by our society and culture.

Poetry and Writing

Between 1998 and 1999, Bernard Kennedy published three books of poetry. These books were Leaves of Autumn: A New Poetry Collection 1988-1998, Berlin, Berlin, and The Poet's Tower & Love Poems.

Awards and Groups

In 1979, Bernard Kennedy won the National Council Educational Award in Philosophy. This award was given by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council.

He is a member of several groups that study the human mind. These include the European Association of Psychoanalysts (EAP) and the Irish Psychoanalytic Association (IPA). He is also a registered expert with the Association for Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy in Ireland (APPI) and the Irish Council for Psychotherapy (ICP).

Kennedy is also a Member of Poetry Ireland (MPI), which supports poets.

Since 1989, he has been the vice president of the Bracken Boxing Club. He is also a member of the Leopardstown Club at Leopardstown Racecourse.

Community Involvement

In 2018, after a sad event in Enniskerry, Kennedy spoke about the community's feelings. He shared his sympathy for the family involved. He said that the Irish and Filipino communities have a wonderful bond. He noted that many Filipino people live in the area and are a great addition to society. He mentioned the deep sadness felt by everyone.

Kennedy has also written about the need for different Christian groups to work together. In 2022, he led a special prayer for peace. This prayer included people from Lutheran, Catholic, and Jewish communities.

Personal Life

In 2009, Bernard Kennedy led the funeral service for his friend, the actress Anna Manahan.

Selected Publications

Books

• Leaves of Autumn: A New Poetry Collection 1988-1998 (1998)
• Berlin, Berlin (1999)
• The Poet's Tower & Love Poems (1999)

Journal articles

• St. Teresa, Mysticism and That's Not It (2005)
• Joyce, The ... Complex, and the Nom Du Pere (2005)
• The Freudian Understanding of the Symptom (2006)
• Out of Our Depth? A Reflection on ... (2002)