Fr Richard John Neuhaus May He Rest in Peace

Richard John Neuhaus, 1936–2009

By Joseph Bottum

Thursday, January 8, 2009, 10:15 AM

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.

Funeral arrangements are still being planned; information about the funeral will be made public shortly. Please accept our thanks for all your prayers and good wishes.

In Deepest Sorrow,

Joseph Bottum
Editor
First Things

There is also an article written by Fr Neuhaus on the front page today of First Things.

May he rest in peace!

God bless!

WI Catholic

Born Toward Dying

By Richard John Neuhaus

Thursday, January 8, 2009, 10:00 AM

This essay by Richard John Neuhaus was originally published in the February 2000 issue of First Things.