Ralph McInerny died this morning. He was 80. McInerny for those not familiar with his name, was a prominent commentator on culture and a faithful Catholic. He was a Third Order Dominican (a member of the Dominican laity). Since 1955, McInerny was a professor of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame and a prolific author. He was known for his studies in the thought of Saint Thomas Aquinas and the Father Dowling Mysteries. With Michael Novak he founded Crisis Magazine, now called InsideCatholic.
Over at First Things J. Bottum has pulled a few things together on Dr. McInerny.
May his memory be eternal.
Professor McInerny captured the voice of millions as he said:
"By inviting Barack Obama as commencement speaker, Notre Dame is telling the nation that the teaching of the Catholic church on this fundamental matter can be ignored. Lip service may be paid to the teaching on abortion, but it is no impediment to upward mobility, to the truly vulgar lust to be welcomed into secular society, whether on the part of individuals or institutions."
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