Hattip to Jay Anderson at Pro Ecclesia. Ralph McInerny, scholar, professor, teacher, philosopher, expert on Medieval philosophy in general and Saint Thomas Aquinas in particular, novelist who wrote the brilliant Father Dowling mysteries, and, above all, a loyal son of the Church, has died. The world has lost a scholar of the first order, and a gentleman of the first kindness. He will be missed. May he even now be enjoying the Beatific Vision.
Ralph McInerny, Requiescat in pace
Donald R. McClarey
Cradle Catholic. Active in the pro-life movement since 1973. Father of three, one in Heaven, and happily married for 41 years. Small town lawyer and amateur historian. Former president of the board of directors of the local crisis pregnancy center for a decade.
Another giant passes …
“May he even now be enjoying the Beatific Vision.”
Amen.
My only acquaintance with his work has been through the internet. One thing I’ve noticed missing from accolades concerning him is the fact that he saw the value of the internet for his discipline and made use of it.
Professor McInerny taught Notre Dame students to
value truth and reflect it by their lives. May he
rest in peace.
Impressive that he passed the day after the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas. A great Heavenly gift I think.
This is the first I’ve heard of his death. I can’t believe the mainstream media made little or no mention of it, even if only for his creation of the Father Dowling character, which resulted in a popular TV series. I ordered his Ancient and Medieval Philosophy course on DVD for personal enrichment. He was an advocate for purity in Catholic doctrine, of which there are too few. He will indeed be missed.