Fr. Richard P. McBrien, the Crowley-O’Brien Professor Emeritus of Theology, died Sunday morning at the age of 78 after a long illness, according to a Notre Dame press release.
McBrien joined the faculty of Notre Dame as the head of the theology department in 1980 and served in his position until 1991, according to the National Catholic Register.
“Father McBrien was a leading theologian and commentator on the Catholic Church,” University President Fr. John Jenkins said in the release. “While often controversial, his work came from a deep love of and hope for the Church. We pray for eternal rest for his soul.”
According to the press release, McBrien was also a past president of the Catholic Theological Society of America, as well as the author of more than 25 books, including “Catholicism,” “Lives of the Saints,” “Lives of the Popes” and “The Church and Politics.” He was one of the most widely quoted members of the Notre Dame faculty on all matters relating to the Catholic Church.
As of Sunday night, funeral arrangements are pending, but a memorial Mass at the Basilica has been tentatively scheduled for the coming weeks.
