Fr. Seán ÓLaoire, Ph.D

Fr. Seán ÓLaoire was born in Ireland and earned a B.Sc.(major in Mathematics) and a PhD in Transpersonal Psychology. Ordained in 1972, he spent 14 years in Kenya. 

Sean is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Spiritual Director of a community called “Companions on the Journey”. He has authored six books:
1. “Ukweli ni Nini?”– written in Swahili 1983
2. “Spirits in Spacesuits” 2003
3. “Souls on Safari” 2006
4. “A Sensible God” 2008
5. “Why? What Your Life Is Telling You about Who You Are and Why You’re Here” 2013
6. “Setting God Free” 2021

In Irish mythology, reports of chess games (cluiche fichille) and hurling (iománaíocht) date back to 1,287 BC. If chess was the non-violent version of genocidal battles in which kings and queens, knights and pawns were captured/killed and castles/territories conquered, then, perhaps, all team sports lie on a continuum between passivity and warfare. In such a case, rugby, football, ice-hockey and hurling would lie on the warrior end of the spectrum. This topic will be discussed further during the call.