Remembering Fr. Richard J. Neuhaus

Emails similar to this are coming from many sources today, as well as news items.

God bless!

---------- Forwarded message ----------

Dear Friend of CatholicVote.com,

 

Less than one month ago we celebrated the life of Cardinal Avery Dulles by marking his departure from our earthly world to the next.  Today we again mourn the passing of one of America's great public intellectuals, Catholic priest, and friend of CatholicVote.com – Father Richard John Neuhaus – who died this morning.

 

Word spread quickly this week that Fr. Neuhaus was gravely ill.  We had learned that he was recently diagnosed with cancer, and then heard after Christmas that he was suffering from a related infection from which he never recovered. 

 

Joseph Bottum, Editor of First Things, the monthly journal of "Religion, Culture and Public Life" founded by Fr. Neuhaus sent word of his passing Thursday morning writing:

 

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 the next day, 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 addition to being an inspiration and intellectual guide to the work of CatholicVote.com, Fr. Neuhaus also was consulted early on in the production of our Election 2008 film. 

Like Cardinal Dulles (who contributed regularly to First Things), there is little that can be said to sum up his rich life and contributions to the role of faith in America.  He will certainly be remembered for his compelling defense of the role of religious faith in public life and his fruitful efforts to enliven the theological dialogue between Catholics and Evangelicals. For many, his monthly column, "While We Are At It," will be sorely missed.

We join those Catholics, Christians, and all Americans today in praying for the repose of the soul of Fr. Richard John Neuhaus. 

Sincerely,

Your Friends at CatholicVote.com

P.S.  In mourning the passing of Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, we encourage you to read an essay titled "Born Toward Dying" by Fr. Neuhaus appearing today on FirstThings.com.   

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.

Touchstone Magazine: "Divorced from Reality"

Touchstone is a prestigious and influential magazine of Christian thought.  So this article, headlined on the cover, is an important event.  It could not have come at a better time, with the possibility of Taken Into Custody going out of print.  Please use this article to get media attention, particularly in the Christian media, which is what we need more than anything.

 

 

To send a letter to the editor: 

 

The outpouring of support over Taken Into Custody has been very gratifying and successful.  Yesterday the book rocketed up above the 5,000 Amazon rating and was #1 in several catgories.  This article should assist in getting a reprieve for TIC.  Please send it to your church leaders and members, media, local officials, and other opinion leaders.

 

Thanks once again to all.  May God bless you and your families this Christmas and New Year.

 

Stephen

 

Touchstone magazine, January/February 2009

 

Feature

Divorced from Reality

"We're from the Government, and We're Here to End Your Marriage."

by Stephen Baskerville

The decline of the family has now reached critical and truly dangerous proportions. Family breakdown touches virtually every family and every American. It is not only the major source of social instability in the Western world today but also seriously threatens civic freedom and constitutional government.

G. K. Chesterton once observed that the family serves as the principal check on government power, and he suggested that someday the family and the state would confront one another. That day has arrived.

...

Read the rest of the article:

 

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Stephen Baskerville, PhD
Associate Professor of Government
Patrick Henry College
1 Patrick Henry Circle
Purcellville, Virginia  20132