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Prayers for Richard John Neuhaus
The great Father Richard John Neuhaus, who was an associate of Martin Luther King, Jr., a high profile convert to Catholicism, and editor of the seminal journal First Things, is near death. Per K-Lo at National Review:
His friends and family are keeping vigil and he was administered last rites shortly after midnight. Fr. George Rutler, who gave him the Catholic Sacrament, says that “he is not expected to live long” and suggests “that it is appropriate that prayers be offered for a holy death.”
Fr. Neuhaus has come close to this moment before and been back. If it’s his time: Go in peace. He's a man who has loved and served His Lord. When he leaves this world, his vast intellectual and spiritual body of work will have a long life here.
I cannot tell you how much he means to those of us, Catholic and Protestant, who are Christians in higher education. My intellectual life would have been far poorer without his work in First Things and his important book The Naked Public Square. He has not wasted an ounce of his energy in this life.
Those of you inclined to pray, please do.
Comments
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Alan Brooks| 1.7.09 @ 9:08PM
will pray.
remember though, he is going to heaven.
I was told the other day that even though we will have new bodies in heaven and thus our external appearances will be different than present, we will still recognize each other.
Jeff Pinyan| 1.7.09 @ 11:03PM
Praying for his health or else a peaceful and holy death.
(Alan, "new" bodies doesn't necessarily mean different "external appearances". But this isn't the place for resurrection theology. Sorry.)
Michael Dooley| 1.8.09 @ 7:42AM
When Father Neuhaus converted to Catholicism some years ago, some anticipated that the Lutheran Church would treat him as America treated the Rosenbergs during the 1950's. However, the Lutheran/Catholic wars ended long ago. Nevertheless, Neuhaus's explanation for adopting the "new" faith baffles me to this day.
Is it really true that all the outstanding Reformation issues between Lutherans and Catholics have been resolved? Neuhaus thought so. Happily, both sides no longer cast anathemas at each other; but the doctrine by which the Lutheran Church stands or falls, "Justification by Grace alone", is not truly addressed by the Catholic Church's teaching that it is one doctrine among others that must be harmonized by the "rule of faith". Lutherans see this as a considerable demotion of this earthshaking doctrine of justification. In Lutheran's experience, most Christians are positively allergic to the doctrine's actual meaning.
Equally puzzling was Father Neuhaus's stress on joining an ecclesial body which was "rightly ordered"-- as if this were a burning question. The exact form of "government" within the Universal Church has never been an issue Lutherans have ever thought important. Why it was important to the good Father and why it should be important to all Christians was never really explored.
Having said all this, one can only marvel at strength of Father Neuhaus's intellect and his prodigious volume of writing. Rarely has been the day I haven't looked forward to what he had found time to write for that day. He changed my mind more than once over the years. He always was informative. (With writing so much, how he Neuhaus ever find time to read?)
What was clear to any conservative reader was Neuhaus's bitter sorrow that the Civil Rights Movement he had been a part of had turned its back on its very principles. It pained him. Of greater insult, the cause of civil rights for all had been perverted to permit the savage abuse of the weakest among us: the unborn. Father Neuhaus has been a tireless warrior against this abomination and injustice. His powerful and compassionate words will be missed.
I have read Father Neuhaus's stuff since 1980. If the Lord does require his soul, who are we to object. Yet, I will grieve. I never met him but I feel like I've known for a very long time--longer than most of my friends. I can only imagine the pain and grief those who have known and sharing their days with him will have. May the Lord give them peace. May our Lord Jesus Christ grant Father Neuhaus mercy and receive him into His Kingdom.
Mike| 1.8.09 @ 10:48AM
My goodness, can we please let this man die in peace, and not bring up the Proto/Catholic divide??
He made his conversion intellectually and emotionally. If you believe he was an intelligent man, then offer that to him now, not some grotesque questioning about his conversion.
If it is the Lord's will, go in peace, Father.
Christine| 1.8.09 @ 11:33AM
Father Neuhaus, rest in peace. What a great writer, as well as a great Christian. I learned a lot from reading his works and recommend his book, "As I Lay Dying: Meditations Upon Returning", to those grieving for him today. He knew where he was going, and helped a lot of us find the way as well.
Chuck LaCortiglia| 1.13.09 @ 9:36PM
After seeing Fr. Neuhaus covering the Pope and other events with Raymond Arroyo on EWTN I e-mailed Father to see if I could meet him in NY last May. Well he answered and he met with me and my wife Maddie.
We were moved by his down to earth yet sharp,insightful and thoughtful analysis of church and secular issues.
What an intellect and gift to humanity!
God bless you Fr. Neuhaus. Rest in Peace.
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