To the Editor:
This is a somewhat delayed response to the article by Ryan Connors, a first year theology student studying at the North American College in Rome with respect to Father Richard John Neuhaus. As indicated by Mr. Connors, Father Neuhaus was arguably the nation's foremost commentator on the place of religion in public life.
For years, he was the editor of "First Things,” a remarkable and idiosyncratic, ten times a year publication which was the meeting place for ideas from not only Catholic layman, theologians, and philosophers, but also those from the other Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities. In the February 2009 edition of "First Things", from the Sloan-Kettering Clinic, he addressed his illness directly and with a sense of calm and humor we all should hope to emulate.
The following is from "The Public Square," his column on religion, culture and public life, perhaps his last paragraphs for publication.
“After the last round with cancer fifteen years ago, I wrote a little book, “As I Lay Dying” (titled after William Faulkner after John Donne), in which I said much of what I had to say about the package deal that is mortality. I did not know that I had so much more to learn. And yes, the question has occurred to me that, if I have but a little time to live, should I be spending it writing this column. I have heard attributed to figures as various as Brother Lawrence and Martin Luther-when asked what they would do if they knew they were going to die tomorrow, they answered that they would plant a tree and say their prayers. (Luther is supposed to have added that he would quaff his favored beer.) Maybe I have, at least metaphorically, planted a few trees, and certainly I am saying my prayers. Who knew that at this point in life I would be understanding, as if for the first time, the words of Paul, "When I am weak, then I am strong"? ...In any event, when there is an unidentified agent in your body aggressively attacking the good things your body is intended to do, it does concentrate the mind."
Thank you, Father Neuhaus, for facing the insidious enemy "attacking the good things your body is intended to do" and giving us all a moment to reflect on the issues that you faced at the end of a good life.
John J. Partridge
Providence
