First Things Magazine and the Public Square

TCRnews Musings

There is hardly a Catholic I know who doesn't enjoy reading and learning from Fr. John Neuhaus' First Things magazine. In fact I do not know how anyone can take a serious interest in theology, philosophy, ethics, the law and popular culture without wanting to dive into Fr. Neuhaus' thought as well as the thought of the superb writers whose essays and opinions appear in that remarkable forum monthly.

When it comes to the elucidation of the Faith in a whole variety of areas First Things is without peer. That does not mean we have to agree on the war (or the matter of economics). And we don't. But even when other Cathoics ---we included--- sometimes hit back hard for the sake of those who are dead and dying and suffering due to what we believe is this imprudential preemptive war, preferring--- hand's down--- the teachings of the Popes as more in keeping with the Gospel, no blanket disrespect is intended. We supported a "police action" against the culprits behind the attack against the United States on 9/11 (see our editorial section from that period). But Iraq is a different matter for reasons we have stated many times. And we cannot be delicate when so many have died and so many suffer to this day---and for what? Catholics who believe in what John Paul II called "a preferential love for the poor" must cry out against this war, we are convinced.

But we are grateful for First Things and their writers in any case; even when we must oppose them on this war, and with some vehemence.