Confessions of a ’Sixties Priest: But Probably Not What You’re Thinking!

James M. O’Brien
iUniverse (2008)
ISBN 9780595496150
Reviewed for Reader Views by Richard R. Blake (7/08)




James M. O’Brien continues his memoirs in “Confessions of a ‘Sixties Priest.” Ordained to the priesthood in 196l, after completing his seminary training at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, Father James O’Brien’s first assignment was at St. Patrick’s Church in Rockford, Illinois.

Eager to make an impact, blind to his own ambition, O’Brien eagerly assumed his role as the youngest priest in the parish. He also served in the role as teacher of religion at Boylan Central High School. His success with promoting and publishing the parish bulletin led to assignment as staff writer for The Observer, the weekly newspaper for the Catholic diocese of Rockford which included twelve counties in northwestern Illinois.

The regular column in The Observer gave O’Brien the chance to express topics on liturgy, the church, the Bible or any of his current liberal causes. Six months later he was appointed as Assistant Managing Editor of the paper.

This was an era when the Catholic Church was on the threshold of liberalization of Vatican II and the civil rights movement was gaining momentum under the leadership of Martin Luther King.  John F. Kennedy, America’s first Catholic president had taken office. Rock and roll energized the music scene. The anti-war effort and anti-poverty programs were being birthed regularly. A cultural revolution was taking place throughout every sector of our society.  O’Brien soon became intricately involved in many of these causes.

O’Brien’s journey took a new twist when after a year he was relieved of his journalistic endeavors, transferred to St. Joseph’s Rectory. His assignment included teaching classes at Aquin High School in Freeport, Illinois.

In June of 1966 O’Brien was given opportunity to take a year of year of graduate work at Northwestern University in the field of Communications with a special reference in television. During this time, he also served a residency at the St. John Brebeuf church in Niles, Illinois.

Make comment on weblog