Washington, D.C. (8 January 2008) – The following is a statement by Judie Brown, president of American Life League, on the passing of the Rev. Richard John Neuhaus, Catholic priest and editor in chief of First Things magazine. Neuhaus died at 9:30 a.m. today.
"Father Richard John Neuhaus, a wise and holy priest, has gone from this earth on this day to his eternal reward. Those of us who admired him, dialogued with him and always respected him will miss him greatly.
"As his dear friend and First Things editor, Joseph Bottum wrote of his passing, '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.'
"May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen."
American Life League was cofounded in 1979 by Judie Brown. It is the largest grassroots Catholic pro-life organization in the United States and is committed to the protection of all innocent human beings from the moment of creation to death. For more information or press inquiries, please contact Michael Hichborn at 540.659.7900.