The Passing of a Good Man and Priest
Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement on the death of former Congressman Father Robert Drinan:
“When St. Francis of Assisi was asked what a person had to do to lead a good life, his reply was: ‘Preach the Gospel. Sometimes, use words.’ Father Robert Drinan preached the Gospel sometimes from the pulpit, sometimes from the House floor, and sometimes from his Georgetown University classroom – but always through his example.
“Father Drinan lived and legislated according to an expansive view of the Gospel, believing that it had something to teach us about the whole range of public policy – from war and peace, to poverty and justice, to health and how we treat our children and our parents.
“Father Drinan was an inspiration to so many in Congress, not just those who served with him but those of us who came after. As a professor of international human rights at Georgetown, he became an inspiration to another generation, including my children. I am particularly honored that earlier this month, Father Drinan presided over a Mass at my alma mater, Trinity University, before I was sworn in as Speaker. He celebrated that Mass in honor of the children of Darfur and Katrina, preaching that ‘the needs of every child are the needs of Jesus Christ himself.’ Throughout his life, Father Drinan not only preached that message of justice and human rights; he embodied it.
“The legacy of Father Drinan will linger both in Congress, and the hearts and minds of the thousands of students he taught. I hope it is a comfort to all those who loved him, including the entire Georgetown University community and the Jesuit priests and brothers, that so many are grieving their loss and praying for them at this sad time.”
