Richard John Neuhaus, RIP

The world of Catholic commentary lost a formidable voice yesterday with the death at age 72 of Father Richard John Neuhaus, founder and editor of the influential conservative journal First Things [1]. Neuhaus was a driving force in the detante between Catholics and evangelicals, and the current president credited Neuhaus personally for helping form his view of abortion. (An NCR obituary [2] outlines Neuhaus' substantial political impact.)

Neuhaus was also among the first influential evangelicals to become Catholic. HIs 1990 Tiber crossing (and priesthood a year later) was followed by other evangelicals, including writer Scott Hahn.

Whether you agreed with Neuhaus or not--and I almost never did--his contribution to the dialogue about what it means to be a religious person and a Catholic in the "naked public square" is undeniable. Though his part in the earthly conversation has ended, the heavenly assembly has gained a new and distinctive voice.