Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
Kenny, Peter

Theologian, teacher, writer; born Melbourne, 23 February 1916; died Perth, Western Australia, 18 June 1996, aged 80.

John Peter Kenny had a very long and distinguished career as a lecturer on theology in six theological colleges in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. In all, he taught theology for 40 years and contributed to its development in numerous articles, appearing especially in the Australasian Catholic Record, the Clergy Monthly, Heythrop Journal, and Sursum Corda. He also wrote six books.

The most recent of these - Living Hope of Christians - was published in 1995. Over the years Kenny shared with hundreds of seminarians and lay people his deep love of the Church and its teachings. An inspiring lecturer, he was not afraid to take up and throw light on the disputed questions of the day - like Karl Rahner, for whom he had a great admiration.

After secondary education at St Patrick's College, East Melbourne, Kenny entered the Society in Sydney, 4 March 1933. He obtained a BA from the University of Melbourne in English and Latin, with minors in Greek and French. In 1941 he received an MA with first class honours. Regency was at Riverview, 1941-43, and he was ordained to the priesthood in Sydney, 4 January 1947. Then he was sent overseas for post-graduate studies in theology and canon law, obtaining the highest award summa cum laude from the Gregorian University with a thesis on Maurice de La Taille's theory of the Mass. He was the first Australian Jesuit to receive such a degree. Tertianship was at Namur, Belgium.

On his return to Australia in 1951 with a doctorate, he lectured in dogmatic theology on such topics as grace, original sin and the Eucharist at Canisius College, Pymble, Sydney, until 1969. In those days Kenny exhibited his abundant energy, with his resonant voice bouncing off the walls of the small classroom. He had a flair for the striking and even flamboyant word or phrase emphasised by grand gestures. Every class was a performance, showing how much he loved his discipline. He was a man of the Church, expounding the early Councils of the Church, speculating disputed questions, modelling himself on Karl Rahner. Temperamentally, however, he was more akin to Hans Urs von Balthasar. Scholasticism was not his forte, and sometimes even a bete noire. At this time also, he was in much demand for lectures to religious orders. Kenny was prefect of studies, 1953-67, and was recognised as a hard examiner of scholastics. Very few scholastics were professed of the four vows during this time. His love of beauty and art lead him to be a judge of the Blake Religious Art Prize for a number of years.

During these years, Kenny and other theology teachers would spend some months each year lecturing at Corpus Christi College, Melbourne. This brought Kenny into contact with the diocesan seminarians for whom he grew in appreciation. Lecturing to Jesuit scholastics in the years after Vatican II required theology lecturers to engage in debate with students, and conduct seminars. This did not appeal to Kenny.

From 1969-76 he was on the staff of Corpus Christi College, Melbourne, first at Glen Waverley and then at Clayton. When the Catholic Theological College was set up in 1973, he was one of its lecturers. Later on, 1987-92, he taught at the Yarra Theological Union while on the parish staff at Hawthorn. In between these appointments in Melbourne he lectured at three other seminaries - Pius XII in Brisbane, Holy Cross in Mosgiel, New Zealand, and the Pacific Regional Seminary in Suva, Fiji. He was always available as a spiritual director of the seminarians.

A very pastorally minded theologian, in 1982 Kenny acted as parish priest of Meekatharra, Western Australia, driving long distances between Masses on Sundays. He had a strong desire to bring God's Word to his people. This work, frequently in high summer temperatures, was very taxing to his health and strength and resulted in heart trouble and exhaustion. Returning to Perth he worked within the archdiocese for a time. Bike riding for exercise became a daily past time.

His time in the regional seminary in Suva, Fiji, 1983-86, was fulfilling for Kenny, the students appreciating his concern for them. Finding the diet of potatoes unsuitable, as well as the climate, he would return to Melbourne and the Highett parish at Christmas in order to build up his strength.

He returned to the Hawthorn parish as a most welcoming superior in 1987, working part-time at the Yarra Theological Union, Box Hill, and at the Assumption Institute, a work of theological education conducted by the Sisters of Mercy. He also engaged in chaplaincy work at the Christian Brothers College, Box Hill. Pastoral work within the parish was much appreciated, taking people's problems to heart and seeking solutions.

The last four years of his life were spent at St Thomas More University College in Perth as assistant chaplain to students. But he returned to theology again when asked to lecture at Notre Dame University, Fremantle, where he was lecturing up to a few days before his sudden death. He also continued his interest in art by being one of the judges of the Mondoria Religious Art Prize.

Unfortunately, during this time his health gradually deteriorated, his legs gave him much trouble, and his heart showed further signs of wearing out. His death occurred as he was driving into the city to see the film Othello. In his last book, he described death, in his usual polished and exquisite, colourful English, in terms of 'ebullient, breath-taking life, or as a gale of happiness that keeps snatching us from wonted ways to catapult us into a multitudinous sea of divine love and bliss.' Unfortunately this book incurred the wrath of the Thomas More Society in Perth because they believed he was soft on Hell. The archbishop launched an investigation into this claim that distressed him.

Kenny was always a man deeply loyal to the Church, and enthusiastic about passing on that tradition to others. He was also a man of culture, breadth and imagination, delighting in what was vivid and striking, as well as being a careful scholar. He had great devotion to the Eucharist and to Our Lady. Moreover, he could draw upon the riches of literature and the various forms of art. Not only that, he could recognise the richness of a theology that went beyond the sometimes dry intellectualism of the dogmatic theology of the pre-Vatican II Church. Indeed, there was no aspect of life in which he was not interested.

He was a deeply God-centered man, and in manner most courteous and respectful. Post Vatican II he regularly dressed with colour, style and flamboyance, loving music, Shakespeare, and Italian and French cooking. His deep humility made him interested in others, with a special care for the needy.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)