Sad news this morning as First Things founder Fr. Richard John Neuhaus passed away this morning . Editor Joseph Bottom conveys his early thoughts:
My tears are not for him—for he knew, all his life, that his Redeemer lives, and he has now been gathered by the Lord in whom he trusted.
I weep, rather for all the rest of us. As a priest, as a writer, as a public leader in so many struggles, and as a friend, no one can take his place. The fabric of life has been torn by his death, and it will not be repaired, for those of us who knew him, until that time when everything is mended and all our tears are wiped away.
Please accept our thanks for all your prayers and good wishes.
I started reading First Things in earnest shortly after September 11th, 2001. The candor, the erudite language and prose, and beyond all the open character of his journal was certainly what prompted me to start blogging. Fr. Neuhaus’ efforts regarding ecumenism, his unflagging spirit, and often his humor permeated every inch of First Things.
His presence will be missed; his mission carries on.