Originally from Deepdene in Melbourne, Fr Kelly was ordained on July 27, 1963 at St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne, by Bishop Justin Simonds.
Appointed to Korea in 1964 Fr Peter served as a Parish Priest, was secretary to the Bishop of Wonju, High School chaplain and English teacher, designed and organised the construction of a technical trade school for students unable to attend city universities. He also co-founded a self-support home for homeless children known as 'Rag Pickers'.
Commanding General of the DMZ Korean Army Division (left), Fr Peter Kelly and the head of the Military Polce MP (right) on the Imjin River on the DMZ betwen North and South Korea in 1973.
In 1985 he returned to Australia as Chaplain to the Korean Community in Sydney where he established a Korean Language School for migrant children and procured land and buildings for a permanent community Centre.
From 1991-1994 Fr Kelly worked in Hong Kong assisting Columbans, Frs John McGrath and Ned Kelly with the management of the Association for International Teaching, Educational and Curriculum Exchange (AITECE). He also assisted Fr Ned Kelly with finding former Columban missions in China and renewing contacts with and organising support for bishops, priests and sisters who had survived the Cultural Revolution and returned to their mission to rebuild the church.
In 1997 the Bishop of Shanghai asked Fr Peter to join the seminary staff as a teacher of theological practical English and organise renewal courses for the under-50 priests and sisters in the diocese.
Fr Peter returned to Australia in 2005 and was the Bursar for Columban Mission in Sydney until moving to Essendon this year where he volunteers his time at the Columban Mission Centre.
Related links
- Read more from The Far East, June 2018
