James Likoudis, R.I.P.

The Catholic Church lost one of her most courageous and articulate defenders of the contemporary era when James Likoudis died this past September at the age of 95.

A revered historian, apologist, and educator, Likoudis devoted his life to explaining the teachings of the Church, defending marriage and the family against the assaults of secularism and the sexual revolution, and, most significantly, bridging the divide between Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. Likoudis’s death marks the end of a profound journey of faith and a life of unwavering commitment to the truth. As president of Catholics United for the Faith (CUF), a lay organization founded in 1968, he became a leading voice in defense of Church teachings, particularly those articulated by Pope St. Paul VI in his encyclical Humanae Vitae (1968). Likoudis’s tireless efforts to uphold Catholic sexual morality and the authority of the magisterium led him to travel and lecture worldwide, engaging audiences with his depth of knowledge.

Born in 1928 to Greek immigrants in Lackawanna, New York, Likoudis was baptized in the Greek Orthodox Church. As a young man, he experienced a profound intellectual transformation at the University of Buffalo’s Newman Club, where he encountered the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas, Christopher Dawson, and other Catholic luminaries, prompting his conversion to the Catholic faith in 1952. This marked the beginning of his lifelong mission, much like his hero, St. Leopold of Castelnuovo, to foster unity between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.

Likoudis’s contributions as a scholar and author were vast and include his distinguished works Ending the Byzantine Greek Schism (1992) and The Divine Primacy of the Bishop of Rome and Modern Eastern Orthodoxy (1999). These books, renowned for their depth and clarity, address theological and historical challenges with the goal of reuniting the two great Christian traditions. He completed this trilogy with Eastern Orthodoxy and the See of Peter: A Journey Towards Full Communion (2006). Likoudis’s impact on Catholic ecumenism was recognized in 2002 when the Society for Catholic Social Scientists gave him the Blessed Frederick Ozanam Award for Catholic Social Action, and again in 2020 when Sacred Heart Major Seminary awarded him an honorary doctorate of divinity.

Likoudis’s most celebrated book, The Pope, the Council, and the Mass: Answers to Questions the Traditionalists Have Asked (1981), co-authored with former NOR contributing editor Kenneth D. Whitehead, was a powerful defense of the Second Vatican Council and the liturgical reforms of Paul VI. But Likoudis’s impact extended well beyond his writings. As the president of CUF and Morality in Media of Western New York, he vigorously defended the Church’s teachings on family, morality, and religious liberty. His efforts were tireless in such campaigns, including in the successful challenge to the problematic Christ Among Us catechism, which led to Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, then prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, ordering the archbishop of Newark, New Jersey, to remove his imprimatur from the book. This episode cemented Likoudis’s role as a steadfast guardian of orthodoxy.

Likoudis’s voice was characterized by both courage and clarity, following in the tradition of his favorite theologian, St. Thomas Aquinas. He consistently articulated a vision of faith that upheld the dignity of the human person, the sanctity of the family, and the authority of the Church. For this reason, Likoudis, representing CUF, was invited to the Vatican by Alfonso Cardinal López Trujillo, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, to a meeting that led to the foundational document Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality: Guidelines for Education Within the Family (1996).

Alice von Hildebrand, wife of the eminent Catholic philosopher Dietrich and another contributing editor of the NOR, reflecting on thinkers who shaped her thinking, counted Likoudis among those she most admired and respected, underscoring his influence among the brightest Catholic minds of the past century. Scott Hahn, a longtime friend of Likoudis, described him as a mentor who provided essential guidance, saying, “I have been working in the Catholic world for almost four decades now, but I’ve known few people who have such a passion for the apostolate and for Christian unity.” Similarly, Mike Aquilina observed, “I think a good many people appreciate him for his careful judgments about the postconciliar situation as it was developing. Very few people got it so right.” Jeffrey Mirus, an influential voice in Catholic media, also credited Likoudis’s influence during his formative years, calling him “one of several mentors from whom I was privileged to learn when I was struggling to become more effective in defending and advancing the Catholic faith in my 20s. Likoudis was already established as a proponent of authentic Catholic renewal, a leading opponent of sex education in schools, and a champion of the magisterium.” These accolades capture the heart of his legacy: a brilliant mind, deeply committed to the truth, whose work has illuminated the path for countless Catholics.

Likoudis was not only a distinguished theologian but a dynamic figure in public life. He ran as a mayoral candidate in his hometown, Watkins Glen, New York, and spent more than two decades as a social-studies teacher to high-school students and a history and government instructor at the Franciscan minor seminary, St. John’s Atonement, as well as at Rosary Hill College, in upstate New York. He was a frequent debater in town halls, engaging educators and the public in discussions that drew large crowds, cementing his reputation as a formidable advocate for truth and morality. He also appeared on popular television programs such as Geraldo and The Phil Donahue Show, as well as on EWTN.

Likoudis’s dedication to Catholic teaching was not limited to the theoretical; it was also deeply personal. His marriage to Ruth, which lasted 71 years, was a testament to the faith and family values they cherished. Together they raised six children and were blessed with 35 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren, creating a legacy that extends far beyond the written word. His family life reflected the very principles he defended in the public sphere.

James Likoudis leaves behind a profound intellectual and spiritual legacy that will continue to inspire generations of Catholics. His life story reminds us that the pursuit of truth, guided by courage and clarity, is a noble and necessary endeavor. His warm sense of humor and engaging personality made him a beloved figure within the Catholic community. Whether through his leadership at CUF or his tireless advocacy for Catholic unity and fidelity, Likoudis is a shining example of unwavering dedication to the Church, a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of faith in the modern world. May his soul rest in the peace of Christ, and may his work continue to bear fruit in the life of the Church.

Ed. Note: The Likoudis Legacy Foundation, established in honor of James Likoudis, aims to continue his work by promoting scholarly research, digital media, and initiatives that uphold his commitment to theological orthodoxy and unity in the Church. To learn more about the foundation’s mission and projects, visit likoudislegacy.com. This article originally appeared in somewhat different form in the National Catholic Register and is reprinted with permission.

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