Father Felix Donnelly - Catholic priest, academic, writer, broadcaster, supporter of the LGBT community and founder of Youthline.
Born in Christchurch on 23rd November 1929, the son of a journalist, he was educated at St Peter’s College, Auckland, went on to earn a MA from Auckland University and later, in 1977, a Ph.D from the same institution.
The young Felix studied for the Catholic Priesthood at Holy Cross College, Mosgiel and was ordained in 1953. He was Director of Religious Education for the Auckland Diocese 1962 - 1971.
In 1964 - 1965, he studied pastoral theology at the Lumen Vitae Catethetical Institute in Brussels Lumen, which piqued his interest in social support for youth. In 1970 he founded Youthline and also established the Youthline Hostel as a home for troubled youth in Auckland in 1971.
As an academic, Donnelly was director of the Department of Community Health and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Science at the University of Auckland, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences from 1972 until his retirement in 1994.
Often seen as at odds with the teachings of the Catholic Church, Father Felix was a supporter of the LGBT community and was a public advocate for homosexual law reform in the 1980's, citing concerns about young people committing suicide after being ostracised or bullied for their sexuality. This contributed to the passing of the Homosexual Law Reform Act 1986.
In the 1998 Queen's Birthday Honours, Donnelly was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to the welfare of youth.
Father Felix was also a talk back host on Radio Pacific for 20 years and a prolific author.
After a full life well led, Father Felix Donnelly died 26th August 2019, aged 89 and is buried in Waikumete Cemetery under his title of Dr Felix Donnelly.
Compiled by Geri Eccles - Discover Waikumete Cemetery
Sources:
https://notices.nzherald.co.nz/nz/obituaries/nzherald-nz/name/felix-donnelly-obituary?pid=193747003
https://cathnews.co.nz/2019/08/29/controversial-felix-donnelly/
https://peoplepill.com/people/felix-donnelly
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