Monday March 21, 2016
Life in the Public Square
(Alex Wong/Getty Images)
The life and thought of Richard John Neuhaus divides into two parts: born in Canada, he became a Lutheran pastor, and an outspoken critic of the Vietnam War. Later, when based himself in New York, he converted to Catholicism, and became a champion of neo-conservativism -- earning him the moniker "Rasputin of the Right". Randy Boyagoda of Ryerson University has written an intellectual biography: Richard John Neuhaus: A Life in the Public Square. He talks to host Paul Kennedy about it. They're later joined by Catholic thinker and Ideas contributor Michael W. Higgins and historian of religion, Molly Worthen from the University of North Carolina. **This episode originally aired May 5, 2015.
Participants in the program:
Writer, critic and scholar Randy Boyagoda is the author of a scholarly monograph on immigration and American identity in the fiction of Salman Rushdie, Ralph Ellison, and William Faulkner. He also contributes reviews and commentary to a variety of publications, including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, National Post, Globe and Mail, and Financial Times (UK). In addition to his 2008 monograph, he has written two novels. The first, Governor of the Northern Province, was a 2006 nominee for the ScotiaBank Giller Prize. His second novel, Beggar's Feast, was a 2012 nominee for the IMPAC Dublin Literary Prize and a New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice. He frequently appears on CBC Radio and other media to discuss literature, culture, and current affairs. His biography of Fr. Richard John Neuhaus was published in 2015. He is currently at work on a new novel. Richard John Neuhaus: A Life in the Public Square is published by Image.
To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted.
By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. Comments are welcome while open. We reserve the right to close comments at any time.
Note: The CBC does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comments, you acknowledge that CBC has the right to reproduce, broadcast and publicize those comments or any part thereof in any manner whatsoever. Please note that comments are moderated and published according to our submission guidelines.
More From CBC Radio
-
CANADA READS
Watch the 2018 Canada Reads panellists & authors in conversation with Gill Deacon
-
As It Happens
Want to win the Staunch Prize? Write a thriller where no woman is sexually exploited, raped or murdered
-
THE CURRENT
Could a tweet start a war? How smartphones and social media are creating new battlegrounds
-
q
Canada Reads 2018 panellists on their choices for the 'one book to open your eyes'




