1. What is your favorite childhood memory?

Every summer my two sisters and I would spend at least six weeks visiting my uncle and aunt, who were my godparents. They had a daughter and son, who were about the same ages as my older sister and I. They lived in a small town near a river.  My cousin and I were like brothers and we went off each day to explore the area from morning to night.

2. Which person have you admired most in life?

Since high school, I have admired one of my teachers, a Marianist brother. He was young and energetic and actually got us to look forward to Latin class. In 1954, my freshman year, he underwent spinal surgery to remove a tumor, which failed and he's been paralyzed from the waist down ever since. He returned to the classroom in his wheelchair and taught with the same enthusiasm. He refused to allow his physical disability to control his mind, heart and spirit. He taught in various schools until he was finally granted an indult to be ordained even though he would never be able to celebrate the Eucharist standing behind an altar. He was one of the first to be granted this dispensation from Rome. He’s now over 80 and still rolling along, giving spiritual direction and retreats and leading several Bible study groups.

3. What is your favorite book?

“Jesus Before Christianity” by Albert Nolan. He cuts through the layers of bias and interpretation we’ve painted over the real Jesus of Nazareth. It’s the first book I encountered that offered a credible challenge to how Jesus and his message have been “packaged” and promoted over the centuries.

4. What book are you reading now?

Just started “Adam’s Return” by Richard Rohr. I have read many of Rohr’s books, but this one is challenging not only my own spirituality but also enabling me to be a better spiritual director for other men.

5. What is your favorite television show?

I don’t have much free time to watch TV but my set is usually tuned to PBS and I enjoy shows like “Frontline,” “Independent Lens” and Bill Moyers.

6. Where is the one place you have never been but always wanted to visit?

New Zealand and Australia. Both offer a great deal of diversity and culture that I'd like to experience.

7. What's the Church's biggest challenge today?

Recovering the pastoral vision of Vatican II, which  revisionists have dimmed. Collaboration has been lessened or eliminated and unity has been replaced by uniformity. Efforts to promote the enculturation and adaptation encouraged by the Council have been met with more resistance. An increase of Rome’s centralization of authority has replaced respect for the authority of the local church and national conferences. People, especially young people, are being drawn to other churches and worship styles that are contemporary and inclusive, not historic and restrictive.