Christopher Hitchens

Christopher Hitchens, the self proclaimed antitheist, has died of cancer. Outspoken and prolific, he never spared anyone his thoughts, to the point of attacking Mother Teresa on the grounds her work encouraged rather than assuaged poverty. What do you do about a man like that on the news of his death?

Exactly what Mother Teresa's own Missionaries of Charity announced from India that they would do. You pray for him.

It doesn't matter whether he or his family would want it. We, as Christians, have to presume that he and they need it, and that it will help Hitchens and his family and friends. There is no other charitable and loving option.

We do not mull over his writings. There is always the temptation to do that after the passing of such a admittedly colorful personage, but what he said as he lived here no matter how we might not care for it doesn't matter today. A human being has left us: a human being who needs us more now that he may have ever imagined.

What he said and did has been and will be debated for a very long time. But the time now is to pause, put our heads on straight, and be right by his soul. The same God who created us created him, and we cannot disparage God's creation at such important points in their lives as when they are moving onto the next stage.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual life shine upon him. We must say it, pray it, and mean it.