Life Net

Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, RIP

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by

Tom Faranda
in

Fr. Neuhaus died this morning - evidently a return of the cancer he had ten years ago. Only a few days ago he'd briefly posted something on the First Things website saying he was undergoing treatment. 

Neuhaus 

His death is a loss for the rest of us. Neuhaus was a well-known Lutheran Minister who converted to Catholicism around 1989, and was ordained a priest by Cardinal O'Connor in 1990.

Here's what was posted this morning on the First Things website – a brief announcement by Editor Joseph Bottum, and an essay by Neuhaus written in February, 2000 entitled "Born Toward Dying".

FIRST THINGS: A Journal of Religion, Culture, and Public Life

For more information on Fr.'s life, there's already an obituary up on National Catholic Reporter (NCR) by John Allen. Unfortunately there's way too much of the "religious right", "progressive" politicalspeak, but then that's NCR's style.

Fr. Richard John Neuhaus dead at age 72 | National Catholic Reporter

He will be missed.

Comments

5 responses to “Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, RIP”

  1. thea mcginnis Avatar
    thea mcginnis

    Sometimes God sends us converts to show us cradle Catholics how to walk the walk. God bless Fr. Neuhaus in Heaven, and deepest sympathy to his family and loved ones.

    Reply
  2. Greg M. Avatar
    Greg M.

    Tom Faranda (aka, “LifeNet”):
    I honestly cannot believe you used the discussion of this priest’s death to make a political point against National Catholic Reporter. As if First Things is not the Fox News of Catholic discourse. Shameless, absolutely shameless.

    Reply
  3. Richard DeLorenzo Avatar
    Richard DeLorenzo

    I was saddened to hear of Fr. Neuhaus’ death. Just after I heard of his passing away, I received this month’s FIRST THINGS, his very excellent contribution to Christian thought. I was also privileged to hear Fr. Neuhaus many times and to attend the Erasmus lectures which he chaired. It is such a consolidation to know that our Church has such giant figures as Fr. Neuhaus here on earth and inteceding for us in heaven. Sincerely, Dick DeLorenzo

    Reply
  4. Dick DeLorenzo Avatar
    Dick DeLorenzo

    Fr. Neuhaus’ own words on his cancer from Feb.2009 issue (p.71-72) of FIRST THINGS:
    As of this writing, I am contending with a cancer, presently of unknown origin…I am grateful beyond measure for your prayers storming the gates of heaven. Be assured that I am neither fear to die nor refusae to live. If it is to die, all that has been is but a slight intimation of what is to be. If it is to live, there is much that I hope to do in the interim…Who knew that at this point in life I would be understanding, as if for the first time, the words of Paul “When I am weak, then I am strong”?…when there is an unidentified agent in your body aggresively attacking the good things your body is intended to do, it does concentrate the mind. The entirety of our prayer is “Your will be done” – not as a note of resignation but of desire beyond expression. To that end, I commend myself to your intercession, and that of all the saints and angels who accompany us each step through time toward home.

    Reply
  5. Chris Slattery Avatar
    Chris Slattery

    I had the privilege of knowing RJN for about 30 years. I was able to visit him in the hospital last week, and although he was failing he did recognize me.
    I left him a wooden image of Christ on the Cross and hung it by his bed on a bulletin board.
    I am sure he embraced Christ very closely in his final days, as he clearly preprepared to meet Our Lord.
    It was a true privilege to have known him and to have called him a friend, and now he will be interceding for us from heaven.
    He was an incredible man.
    I knew him for years as a Lutheran minister and was one of many to nudge him along to Rome.
    When he beame a RC priest, our family had the good fortune to share a parish with him. Immaculate Conception on East 14th St. in Manhattan.
    He performed his first Baptism as a Catholic priest on our daughter Brigid in 1995.
    Few know that was a long time major financial supporter of our Expectant Mother Care organization in NYC. His solid pro-life commitment meant he wanted to see very serious support for moms in crisis pregnancy in the Abortion Capital of America, where he spent most of his very well spent life.
    His intellectua friends and foowers wil praise his great intellect and spiritual leadership.
    I will miss his great outspoken leadership in the pro-life cause, his kindness, generosity, and friendship most.
    I believe he will be a major intercessor in heaven, but of course we will pray hard for his soul, and his family.
    PS A Funeral Mass will be celebrated for Father Richard John Neuhaus at the Church of the Immaculate Conception—414 E. 14th Street, New York City—on Tuesday, January 13, 2009, at 10 a.m.
    Bishops and priests who wish to attend are asked please to inform Nathaniel Peters (by email or phone 212-627-2288) by Sunday afternoon, January 11, at the latest.
    A Christian wake service in the form of a Vigil for the Deceased will be celebrated at the Church of the Immaculate Conception on Monday evening, January 12, at 7:30 p.m. Clergy who plan to attend are asked to sit with the congregation.
    In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for Fr. Neuhaus’ work, the Institute on Religion and Public Life, online at this page or by mail to:
    Institute on Religion and Public Life
    156 Fifth Avenue
    Suite 400
    New York, NY 10010

    Reply

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