Chris Cain, a field agent for Knights of Columbus Insurance program and a parishioner at St. Leo Parish in Murray, and Randy Roussey, a parishioner of St. Stephen Parish in Cadiz, speak with Bob Allen Kroll after his talks at the 2026 Catholic Men’s Conference, held Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Riverpark Center in Owensboro. ANDY TELLI | WKC
Forgiveness leads to healing, freedom, from father wounds, says conference speaker
BY ANDY TELLI, WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
When a father withholds the love, attention and affirmation that his children crave, it can leave the most intensive wound of all, Bob Allen Kroll told the men attending the 2026 Catholic Men’s Conference held on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Riverpark Center in Owensboro.
But through forgiveness, people can find healing and be free to live and love with their whole heart, Kroll said.
Kroll, a Catholic speaker and podcaster and the author of “The Father Wound… and Beyond: Confronting and Healing the Greatest Wound of All,” was one of the featured speakers at the conference, along with: Dr. Jason Winkle, a former member of the faculty at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point; Fr. Larry McBride, pastor of Immaculate Parish in Owensboro; and Dr. Jeff Andrini, director of evangelization and discipleship for the Diocese of Owensboro.
Kroll shared his story of growing up in a family marred by emotional and physical abuse, especially from his father. “My trust in him was broken,” he said.
“A father has an authority like no man in that child’s life,” he said. “That authority means that anything that Dad says or does or fails to say or do that he should say or do to his children is going to have an effect for a lifetime.”
This power comes from God the father in heaven, Kroll said. “That’s why your children long to hear that. It’s built within us. We need to hear those words. And sometimes our fathers just don’t do that. And it leaves that empty hole in a child’s heart. And they always move throughout life with something missing in their heart.”
Through forgiveness, people can find an opportunity to live a life of greater freedom, he said. If people who have been wounded by their father can offer forgiveness, “that healing begins to happen.”
“Jesus wants us to forgive,” Kroll told the audience. He noted that on the cross, Christ said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
Dr. Winkle’s two talks focused on leadership and heroic discipleship.
“We have a special calling as men to lead,” Dr. Winkle said.
“What works in leadership is biblical,” he explained. “Leadership is a pathway to sainthood.”
“Christ modeled leadership that He wants us to mimic,” Dr. Winkle added. “We praise God by how we treat people.”
The key is to shift the focus from results to the people who drive those results, Dr. Winkle explained. “When we focus on other people, we get elevated to the level of leader in Christ’s eyes.”
We are called to be disciples, Dr. Winkle said. “We’re being called to do more. We’re being called to be more courageous, to be more holy. … We’re being called to heroic discipleship.”
“Becoming a saint is intentional,” he added. “It’s a commitment.”
Originally printed in the March 2026 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
