Editor of First Things, Fr. Richard John Neuhaus passes away

News Resources Tools Columns Documents ACI Group

Contenidos del sub-menu

Comments: 26

Fr. Richard John Neuhaus

, Jan 8, 2009 / 10:11 am (CNA).- Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, the famous convert to Catholicism and editor in chief of the journal First Things passed away this morning in New York at 9:30 a.m. EST.

CNA was informed of Fr. Neuhaus’ death through an announcement from George Weigel who stated, "Father Richard John Neuhaus was called home to the house of the Father at about 09:30 EST today. May God grant him the reward of his labors, and give consolation and peace to those who loved him and who will carry on his work."

Fr. Neuhaus himself revealed his battle with cancer in an article written on December 5. "The nature of the cancer is beginning to come into clearer focus, and I hope to have more details in short order. Meanwhile, I will, please God, continue to be as engaged as possible in the work of First Things and other apostolates, even as I am compelled by grace to know more deeply our solidarity within the Body of Christ," he wrote.

In late December, the First Things blog disclosed that Fr. Neuhaus’ health had taken a turn for the worse. During the Christmas Season he became "dangerously ill" from what appeared to be "a systemic infection," which left him very weak. "Entering the hospital the day after Christmas, he was sedated to lower an elevated heart rate and treatment was begun for the infection."

A source close to Fr. Neuhaus told CNA that a few days ago the priest received the last rites from Fr. George Rutler, and since then had lost consciousness, along with a steady deterioration in his vital signs.

Comments: 26

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Denis
Ft Lauderdale, Fl 01/11/2009 01:03 PM EST

Never met the man and yet the tears will not stop flowing...God receive you soul Fr Richard John and grant you your reward you so deserve.

Published by: gloria k
Baton Rouge, LA, USA 01/10/2009 03:23 PM EST

Loved him so much! What a beautiful man. And God sent an Angel to bring him Home. What a welcome! Our Lady ushered him into the Sanctuary of Life. He has now seen the Face of God! And Lived!

Our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, have mercy on his soul.

We can now pray to him and for him. Oh Fr. Neuhaus, please pray for us. You now know all the needs of Holy Mother Church.

gloriak

Published by: Peter L.
Falls Church, VA 01/09/2009 08:14 PM EST

Fr. Neuhaus was a giganticly great thinker, writer, ecumenist and (foremost) Catholic. I can only imagine the heavenly Buckley-Avery-Neuhaus conversation going on tonight.

Published by: James McCauley
Los Gatos, CA 01/09/2009 03:12 PM EST

What a loss! Intelligence, integrity, enormous talent, great love of Christ and His Church. A man, I fear, irreplaceable. Per tuas semitas ...

Published by: Gary McCaleb
Scottsdale, AZ, USA 01/09/2009 03:10 PM EST

Sweet and glorious voice of reason, silenced in this life; raised now in praise in the next.

Published by: J. Gallup
Melbourne, Fl 01/09/2009 09:32 AM EST

I will miss Father Newhaus with Raymond Arroya covering all of the wonderful events on EWTN. He is in my prayers. I know he is enjoying his final reward.

Published by: Kathy Maxwell
New Braunfels, TX 01/08/2009 08:07 PM EST

Father Neuhaus' book Death on a Friday Afternoon, brought me back to God after 35+ years away.

I rejoice with each delivery of First Things and I save Public Square for desert.

May God bless and keep him and send us another to keep us thinking rightly.

Published by: diniereid
Bradford, PA 01/08/2009 07:59 PM EST

I feel the same emptiness on losing Fr. Neuhaus as I did when Pope John Paul 11 died. It feels like I lost a father.

Published by: sue
toledo,oh 01/08/2009 07:42 PM EST

i am deeply saddened by the loss of such a great priest. May he rest in peace-he will be greatly missed.

Published by: Lora
Jay NY 01/08/2009 06:04 PM EST

Father Neuhaus was a wonderful defender and teacher of the Catholic Faith. We will always be thankful for his inspiration. His passing is a great saddness to us all. May he rest in the loving embrace of our Savior Jesus.

Published by: Margaret Keller
Baltimore MD USA 01/08/2009 05:31 PM EST

I have seen him on EWTN
I am sorry to see him go. God be with him Gods angels surround him. I am sure he is in Heaven and praying for us down here. I sure he see God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Sprit.The Holy Trinity.

Published by: George Thatcher
Gulfport, MS, USA 01/08/2009 04:33 PM EST

A stunning loss for Catholicism! May light perpetual shine on him!

Published by: Winnie Koch
Vancouver BC 01/08/2009 04:08 PM EST

We watch Father via EWTN. We are edified by his words and always happy to see him. Please Cardinal Neuhaus, remember us before our Lord who are still struggling in this valley of tears.

Published by: LaVon
Tampa, FL 01/08/2009 03:46 PM EST

How I will miss Father Neuhaus!How our world needs men like him! I know He is hearing the words of our Lord, "Well done,good and faithful servant!"

Published by: Diane Paquette
Brampton ON Canada 01/08/2009 02:44 PM EST

God grant him eternal joy. I will always be grateful for the truth which he proclaimed.
RIP

Published by: Robert Lydon
Edgewood , N.M. USA 01/08/2009 02:41 PM EST

I'm sure Fr., Neuhaus would appreciate our prayersmuch more than "instant" canonization.

Published by: Catherine
Madeira Beach, Fl 01/08/2009 02:28 PM EST

I am greatly saddened by the loss of this great man of God. He will be in my prayers.

Published by: Barbara Moul
Norristown, Pa. 01/08/2009 01:56 PM EST

I am very saddened by
Father Richard Neuhous
death. Raymond Arroyo
and Father Neuhous made
me laugh. Their
discussion on our
Catholic Faith help
me alot as a learning
tool.

on topics that
educated me in my
Catolic Faith

Published by: Dennis Ashendorf
Costa Mesa, CA, USA 01/08/2009 01:29 PM EST

The moral clarity and honesty of Rev. Neuhaus has served as my support since issue one of First Things. I'm devastated. Reading the great Christian thoughts in the other comments brings joy to this Jew. Thank you Rev. Neuhaus for using God's gifts with so much grace.

Published by: Andy
Akron, Ohio 01/08/2009 01:13 PM EST

This is a sad day for us and a joyful day for Fr. Neuhaus.

I had the opportunity to meet and converse with him a couple of times over the years.

He was warm, charitable and engaging...a true witness to the Faith.

His soul will be in my prayers.

"Well done good and faithful servant..."

Published by: David Bourke
Toronto, Ontario 01/08/2009 01:08 PM EST

I am saddened yet happy to have being touched personally by his great work May he rest in eternal peace

Published by: Bob Pax
vienna,Va. 01/08/2009 12:56 PM EST

The Church has lost a great defender of the faith both in the printed word and in personal witness, outspoken and unashamed.Memory Eternal!!

Published by: Julie Axe
San Mateo, CA/USA 01/08/2009 12:52 PM EST

How rewarding...to be in the arms of our Savior, Jesus Christ!!

Published by: Jim Swinnen
New Orleans, LA 01/08/2009 12:51 PM EST

I am saddened and offer my prayers. He was a brilliant defender and expositor of the Faith and a model of Christian Catholic faith thinking about and acting in the world. His insights will be missed but his inspiration to many of us will live on.

Published by: James L. Hawes
Oakland, Iowa, USA? 01/08/2009 11:06 AM EST

Eternal rest grant unto him Oh Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his and all the souls of the faithfully departed, rest in peace. Cardinal Neuhaus was truly a man of God.

Published by: Terri
Old Orchard Beach, Maine 01/08/2009 10:52 AM EST

May the angels quide him home to the Father. He will be missed, but his legacy will live on.

ADD A COMMENT (Your e-mail will NOT be published):


NAME:
CITY/STATE/COUNTRY:
EMAIL:
COMMENT:

PLEASE ENTER THE SECURITY CODE DISPLAYED ABOVE:
Chars:

* Thanks for your comments. The number of messages that can be online is limited. Length should not exceed 1500 characters. CNA reserves the right to edit messages for content and tone. Comments and opinions expressed by users do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of CNA. CNA will not publish comments with abusive language, insults or links to other pages.

ADVERTISING
CNA does not necessarily endorse these advertisers. Please proceed with discretion. If you feel that a website announced has inappropriate or offensive content, please send it by e-mail to catholicna@catholicna.com