His book, The Catholic Moment: The Paradox of the Church in the Postmodern World, written while still a Lutheran priest and Director of the Rockford Institute Center on Religion and Society, inspired a generation of young Catholics to more faithfully bear witness to eternal truth, while engaging the culture in the public square. Catholic World News describes Father Neuhaus, as "an adviser to prelates and presidents and spiritual mentor to a wide circle of friends, an enormously influential figure in discussions of Church-state affairs, and a key leader in Catholic-Evangelical dialogue."
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him.
The scholarly journal founded by Father Neuhaus, First Things, published the following report of his passing:
Richard John Neuhaus, 1936–2009
Our great, good friend is gone.
Fr. Richard John Neuhaus slipped away today, January 8, shortly before 10 o’clock, at the age of seventy-two. He never recovered from the weakness that sent him to the hospital the day after Christmas, caused by a series of side effects from the cancer he was suffering. He lost consciousness Tuesday evening after a collapse in his heart rate, and soon after, in the company of friends, he died.
My tears are not for him—for he knew, all his life, that his Redeemer lives, and he has now been gathered by the Lord in whom he trusted.
I weep, rather for all the rest of us. As a priest, as a writer, as a public leader in so many struggles, and as a friend, no one can take his place. The fabric of life has been torn by his death, and it will not be repaired, for those of us who knew him, until that time when everything is mended and all our tears are wiped away.
In Deepest Sorrow,
Joseph Bottum
Editor
3 comments:
An enormous loss to the 'Public Square'. Fr. Newhaus' insight and devastating wit will be sorely missed. Who can take his place?
It is a great loss, indeed, Greg, particularly on the heels of William F. Buckley’s passing, and at a time when their wisdom and guidance is sorely needed. As I am sure you know, but many do not, Father Neuhaus was one of Canada’s many great contributions to the United States.
Alas, Canadians tend not to be noticed especially, if not only when they are not goofy left-wing actors or 'comedians'.
Fr. Neuhaus' accent was the old mid-Atlantic that I grew up with. Neither American nor British but somewhere near the Lobster Trap outside the Thames!
I wonder what First Things will do. He was simply an enormous presence.
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