Background
Donnelly was born in Christchurch, the son of a journalist.
Donnelly was born in Christchurch, the son of a journalist.
He was educated at Street Peter"s College, Auckland (1940–1946). Donnelly studied for the Catholic priesthood at Holy Cross College, Mosgiel (1947–1953).
He is well known as a social activist, writer, academic and radio talkback host. He has an Master of Arts from Auckland University and a Doctor of Philosophy (1977) from the same institution. He was ordained a priest for the Auckland Catholic Diocese by Archbishop Liston on 19 July 1953.
He was Director of Religious Education for the Auckland Diocese 1962-1971.
As an academic, Donnelly was Director of the Department of Community Health and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Science at the University of Auckland, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences from 1972 until his retirement in 1994. Donnelly has been a controversial commentator on issues in relation to human sexuality.
In 1970 Donnelly was instrumental in founding Youthline, a telephone counselling helpline service for youth, run by youth, which still continues. He also established the Youthline Hostel as a home for troubled youth in Auckland in 1971.
Foreign twenty years Donnelly was a talk back host on Radio Pacific.
Donnelly has been a prolific writer of non-fiction and has written one novel The Felix Donnelly College was named after him.