Chuck Colson, RIP

Chuck Colson was one of the most important Christians in American public life. Like our founder, Richard John Neuhaus, Chuck recognized that our increasingly secular elites pose a threat to the religious character of American culture. This led him to encourage Evangelicals to enter into close cooperation with Catholics. One result was his work with RJN in starting and guiding Evangelicals and Catholics Together, an initiative of the Institute on Religion and Public Life.

It was in that role that I came to know Chuck. We worked together on the recent ECT statement, “In Defense of Religious Liberty,” which was published in the March 2012 issue. He was a man of immense energy, sharp intellect, and powerful will, along with a capacity for fierce, determined loyalty. It was an inspiration to see all that so happily under the sway of an abiding faith in Christ.

I’m grateful for all he gave to our common Christian witness. We’ll miss you, Chuck.