Washington D.C., Jan 13, 2009 / 13:38 pm
The president of the U.S. Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, has issued a tribute to the late Fr. Richard John Neuhaus praising him for his life-long efforts at ecumenism.
Father Neuhaus was a noted Lutheran theologian who converted to Catholicism in 1990. He was the founder of the journal First Things and was known for advocating for the place of religion in the public debate through his Institute on Religion and Public Life. Fr. Neuhaus passed away on January 8 at the age of 72.
Cardinal George issued the following statement:
"Many are grateful for the service that Father Richard John Neuhaus offered to the entire Church, especially through his contributions at the Institute on Religion and Public Life. He was an exemplary priest and a personal friend."