. >>> now, judy valente reports on richard rohr -- a franciscan priest who has become a widely popular author and lecturer with his message about the importance of spiritual experience. his new book is "falling upward," about moving beyond everyday self interest into lives of prayer and contemplation. >> there's no place where you can't pray. >> reporter: richard rohr, a catholic priest, is addressing a packed house at trinity episcopal cathedral in portland, oregon. >> i love beautiful spaces. but if creating beautiful spaces like this for one moment leads you to think that god is not equally out there on the streets of portland, then religion is not doing its job. >> reporter: for the past 25 years, rohr, a franciscan priest, has run the center for action and contemplation in albuquerque. he calls himself a "radical traditionalist." for example -- >> it's not correct to say jesus is god. now, don't run and report me to the bishop, all right? it's not correct to say that. jesus is the union of the human and the divine. that's different. i've been a priest 43 years. most of the catholi

for "religion & ethics newsweekly," i'm judy valente in portland, oregon. >> father rohr's books have been translated into 17 languages. he has taught in 42 countries and 48 of the 50 states. >>> that's our program for now. i'm bob abernethy. you can follow us on twitter and facebook, find us on youtube, and watch us anytime, anywhere on smart phones and iphones. there's also much more on our website. you can comment on all of our stories and share them. audio and video podcasts are also available. join us at pbs.org. as we leave you, scenes from the annual sikh parade in yuba city, california. >>> major funding for religion and ethics news weekly is provided by the lily endowment, a private family foundations dedicated to founders interest in religion, community development and education. additional funding provided by mutual of america, designing customized, individual, and grou