The board of directors for the Institute on Religion and Public Life has released the following statement:
Joseph Bottum and the Board of the Institute on Religion and Public life have agreed that Dr. Bottum’s service as editor of First Things would end as of December 1 to allow Dr. Bottum to pursue his book-writing and other extensive commitments. The members of the Board are grateful to Dr. Bottum for his contributions as editor of First Things after the death of Father Richard John Neuhaus and wish him well in his future endeavors.