Fr. Richard Rohr is a Franciscan of the New Mexico Province. He founded the New Jerusalem Community in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1971, and the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1986, where he presently serves as Founding Director.

Richard was born in Kansas in 1943. He entered the Franciscans in 1961, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1970. He received his Master’s Degree in Theology from Dayton that same year. He now lives in a hermitage behind his Franciscan community in Albuquerque, and divides his time between local work, and preaching and teaching on all continents. He considers the proclamation of the Gospel to be his primary call, and uses many different platforms to communicate that message. Scripture as liberation, the integration of action and contemplation, community building, peace and justice issues, male spirituality, the enneagram, and eco-spirituality are some themes he addresses in service of the Gospel.

He is probably best known for his numerous recorded teachings, and through the Center’s quarterly publication, Radical Grace. He is a regular contributing writer for Sojourners magazine and writes a regular column for Tikkun magazine.

Among his best known books are Everything Belongs, Radical Grace: Daily Meditations, Adam’s Return: The Five Promises of Male Initiation, Hope Against Darkness and The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective. His current best-selling recorded teachings are The Divine Dance: Exploring the Mystery of Trinity and Prophets Then, Prophets Now. His latest book is From Wild Men to Wise Men: Reflections on Male Spirituality, and his latest book Things Hidden: Scripture as Spirituality was published in November 2007.

He has partnered with such esteemed teachers as Thomas Keating, OCSO, Ron Rolheiser, OMI, Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault, Joan Chittister, OSB and Jim Wallis, teaching on such themes as adult Christianity, politics and spirituality, embracing the role of prophet in the modern world and presence to the Eternal now.

An internationally known speaker, Richard’s travels have recently carried the message to Europe and Australia/New Zealand.

Recently, Richard was a featured essayist on NPR’s This I Believe, and was a guest of Dr. Mehmet Oz on his “Oprah and Friends” radio show. He also appears in the 2006 documentary, One, featuring spiritual teachers from around the world.

He is probably best known for his numerous audio and video tapes, and through the Center's publication, Radical Grace. He is a regular contributing editor/writer for Sojourners magazine and recently published a 7-part Lenten Series for the National Catholic Reporter.

Click to visit the Center for Action and Contemplation. Click to visit the Mustard Seed Resource Center for Richard Rohr’s books.