Richard John Neuhaus, 1936–2009
Today I have received some really sad news. Father Richard John Neuhaus, the editor-in-chief of the First Things, has passed away at the age 72. Many years ago I had accidently discovered his writings and the writings of other First Things contributors, and for the first time in my life I had a feeling that I discovered my intellectual and spiritual home. His insightful observations and comments on current affairs and cultural matters had provided a lifeline for me in times when I felt completely surrounded by hostility and unsympathetic worldviews. I can safely say that I had never felt as intellectually close to another human being as I had felt close to him. I could not have helped but utter a silent "yes" to every one of his statements, page after page, year after year. If one wants to know where I stand on any given issue, one just needs to find out what Fr. Neuhaus had written about it.
One of my big regrets is that I had never met him in person. A couple of years ago I had a privilege to have him answer one of my letters. I had briefly written about it here.
Dear God, accept your faithful servant Richard John Neuhaus and grant him the much deserved rest. And may he rise again with the coming of Your Kingdom. Amen.