A Path from Rome: An Autobiography

This autobiographical work traces Anthony Kenny's intellectual and spiritual journey from Catholic priesthood to philosophical agnosticism, offering a unique insider's perspective on the tensions between religious commitment and philosophical inquiry. Kenny, who served as a Catholic priest from 1955 to 1963 before pursuing an academic career in philosophy at Oxford, presents his personal narrative as a case study in the complex relationship between faith and reason in twentieth-century intellectual life.

The autobiography centers on Kenny's gradual loss of faith, precipitated primarily by his philosophical studies and his inability to reconcile Catholic doctrine with rigorous philosophical analysis. Kenny details his seminary education in Rome, his initial enthusiasm for Thomistic philosophy, and his growing doubts about central theological claims, particularly regarding biblical inerrancy, papal infallibility, and the coherence of traditional arguments for God's existence. His account provides intimate insights into the psychological and social pressures experienced by those who find themselves losing faith while occupying religious offices.

Kenny's narrative contributes to the God debate by illustrating how philosophical training can lead to the erosion of religious belief, even in those deeply committed to religious life. His discussion of specific philosophical problems—such as the compatibility of divine foreknowledge with human freedom, the problem of evil, and the historical-critical challenges to scripture—demonstrates how abstract theological difficulties translate into personal crises of faith. The work implicitly argues against fideistic approaches to religious belief, suggesting that faith cannot be sustained in isolation from rational inquiry.

The autobiography engages with broader debates about the relationship between Catholicism and modern philosophy, positioning Kenny's journey within the context of post-Vatican 2 Catholic intellectual culture. His account of leaving the priesthood while maintaining respect for religious tradition and continuing engagement with philosophical theology exemplifies a particular form of agnostic departure from faith—one marked by intellectual rather than moral objections, and characterized by continued scholarly interest in religious questions rather than hostile rejection. Kenny's subsequent career as a philosopher of religion who takes religious claims seriously while finding them ultimately unpersuasive represents a significant position in contemporary philosophy of religion, making this autobiography valuable for understanding the personal dimensions of religious doubt among philosophically trained believers.