Michael Bernard Kelly RIP

Grieving the loss and grateful for the life and work of Michael Bernard Kelly, Gay Catholic, witness to the tradition, disciple of the Divine and another “Holy Irritant” to those who exclude the invited and demonize the different .

 Creative imp of a dynamic spirituality which gave us the Rainbow Sash Movement and the language of the Erotic Contemplative.

 Dance into the wedding feast of the lamb with the colours of the rainbow surrounding you and all who have lived the passion of human love in its rich diversity and expression.

 Michael Bernard Kelly RIP

Michael Bernard Kelly

Michael Bernard Kelly, our brother and friend, died on November, 2020. 

Born 27 July 1954. 

Son of Bernie and Marjie (both dec). 

Brother of Johnny (dec), Maureen, Brian and Noelene. 

Michael:

Brother,

Lover and creator of beauty. 

Rebel Catholic,

Teacher, priest and spiritual guide. 

Man of prayer, 

Voice of inclusion. 

Life as offering: ‘Here I am’. 

May St Francis and ‘sister death’ escort him deeper into the expanse of Mystery, to the One he has always loved and served.

We have been blessed.

Michael’s farewell ritual and burial will take place on a beautiful part of the coast he loved on Monday 23 November at 11.15am. His sister Noelene will contact friends with details in keeping with Covid restrictions.

In the gentle care of
Greenhaven Funerals
(03) 9569 0534

Tributes

Kittredge Cherry

Michael was a personal friend and we were working on an interview for this Q Spirit blog in the last months before he died. Much of the content in this tribute comes from material he sent me to go with the interview.

He enjoyed reflecting with me about the role of art in his spiritual journey. “I have become very aware that we have very few images, symbols and icons of the Resurrection — compared with so many, many, many, images, rituals and symbols around the passion and crucifixion. I, too, have no shortage of those — and I love them dearly. However, at this stage of my life it is the Resurrection that draws me, and I want to focus on symbols and icons that express this,” he wrote in a recent email.

Australian Catholic for Equality
Today we hold in our thoughts and our hearts our dear sibling in Christ Dr Michael Bernard Kelly who for a lifetime loved, advocated and served his rainbow Catholic siblings. Eternal Rest be his, and let perpetual light shine upon him, may he rest in peace, Amen.

Dennis Petragnani

I am deeply saddened to say goodbye to my beloved friend, mentor, brother, teacher, priest, bishop and fellow companion on the journey Michael Bernard Kelly. I will treasure your wisdom, guidance and love that you shared with me over all these wonderful years and I will be forever grateful that I was blessed to have you in my life. Trying to make sense of your passing I was reminded of the quote below from Henri Nouwen. Until the day we meet again on the distant shore go in peace and love my friend.

“Dying is a gradual diminishing and final vanishing over the horizon of life. When we watch a sailboat leaving port and moving toward the horizon, it becomes smaller and smaller until we can no longer see it. But we must trust that someone is standing on a faraway shore seeing that same sailboat become larger and larger until it reaches its new harbor. Death is a painful loss. But when we think about the One standing at the other shore eagerly waiting to welcome our beloved friend into a new home, a smile can break through our tears.“ HM Nouwen

Svante Talltorp

I am an old friend of M since 1995 when I lived in Melbourne for many years. Du you happen to know when and where the funeral for dear M will be held. I will light a candle in my parish church here in Stocholm Sweden. lived in Melbourne for many years and M and myself spend lots of times together. Deep talk over dinners at my place or at a cheap restaurant, or we went to see a movie together. A very good and close friendship which we kept up despite me moving to Sweden in late 2003. I have returned to Australia nearly every year. I met up with M often during all these visits. Last time I was I Melbourne was exactly one year ago