Rev. Francis Canavan, S.J., professor emeritus of political science at Fordham University, died on Thursday, February 26, and was buried yesterday, March 2. The Cardinal Newman Society today released the following statement from its president and founder Patrick J. Reilly:

“Not only do we honor Father Canavan for his great faith, intellect, humility and commitment to the best of Catholic education, but he was also significant to the founding of The Cardinal Newman Society.

“Father Canavan was a mentor to me while I was a student at Fordham in 1990. Impressed by this holy priest whose reputation as a scholar was legendary among serious and faithful students, I begged him to guide and approve my senior thesis on New York City’s tragic plan to distribute condoms in the public schools.

“Afterward, Father Canavan advised and encouraged me in my dialogue with Fordham University officials about a pro-abortion student club, a homosexual student club, abortion referrals for pregnant students and other scandals. He told me there is great value in witnessing to the faith, even though I may be ‘chasing horses 20 years after the barn doors were opened.’ At the time, I was stung by Father Canavan’s trademark wit and his frank assessment of the state of Catholic higher education. But his encouragement to stand up to scandal regardless of practicality—trusting that future ‘success’ depends on the Holy Spirit, and never our own actions—was a primary motivation for founding The Cardinal Newman Society in 1993.