RIP James Likoudis, who was a beacon of the Catholic faith in a changing world

by: Philip Blosser and Andrew Likoudis
The Catholic Church lost one of its bravest and most outspoken defenders in James Likoudis, who died on September 3 at the age of 95.
Likoudis was a respected historian, apologist, and lecturer. He devoted his life to explaining the teachings of the Catholic Church on a wide range of subjects, from Vatican II and the papacy to defending marriage and the family against the onslaught of secularism and the sexual revolution, and, most importantly, bridging the gap between Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.
His death marks the end of a profound journey of faith, a life of unwavering devotion to the truth and an unyielding commitment to defending the Catholic Church against the erosion of its teaching.

As president of Catholics United for the Faith (CUF), a lay organization founded in 1968, Likoudis became a leading voice defending Church teachings, particularly those expressed in the encyclical of Pope Paul VI. Human LifeHis tireless efforts to defend Catholic sexual morality and the authority of the Magisterium led him to travel and lecture throughout the world, captivating audiences with his profound knowledge and unwavering dedication.
Likoudis was born in 1928 to Greek immigrants in Lackawanna, New York. His education began in the Greek Orthodox Church. However, he underwent a profound intellectual transformation at the Newman Club of the University at Buffalo, where he encountered the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas, Christopher Dawson, and other Catholic luminaries. Likoudis converted to Catholicism in 1952. This marked the beginning of his lifelong mission, like his hero St. Leopold of Castelnuovo, to promote unity between the Catholic and Orthodox churches. Likoudis’ contributions as a scholar and author were immense, including his famous works Ending the Byzantine Greek Schism And The Divine Primacy of the Bishop of Rome and the Modern Eastern Orthodox Church. These books, praised for their depth and clarity, addressed theological and historical challenges with the aim of reuniting the two great Christian traditions. He completed this trilogy on the Byzantine tradition with Eastern Orthodoxy and the See of Peter: A Journey to Full Communion (2006). Likoudis’s impact on Catholic ecumenism was recognized in 2002 when he received the Blessed Frederick Ozanam Award for Catholic Social Action from the Society for Catholic Social Scientists, and in 2020 he was awarded an honorary doctorate of divinity by Sacred Heart Major Seminary.
His most celebrated book, The Pope, the Council, and the Mass: Answers to Questions Traditionalists Have Askedwhich he co-wrote with Kenneth Whitehead, was a vigorous defense of the Second Vatican Council and the liturgical reforms of Pope Paul VI.

Likoudis’ impact extended far beyond his writings. As president of CUF and Morality in Media (now the National Center on Sexual Exploitation), he vigorously defended the church’s teachings on family, morality, and religious freedom. His tireless efforts in campaigns such as the successful challenge to the problematic Christ among us The catechism prompted direct action by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, cementing his role as steadfast guardian of orthodoxy.
During these excursions to the Vatican, he had several opportunities to present his books to Pope John Paul II. He also met Mother Teresa, who later signed a book to which Likoudis had contributed together with the Catholic philosopher Dietrich von Hildebrand.1 Throughout his career, Likoudis’s voice was marked by both courage and clarity, in the tradition of his favorite theologian, St. Thomas Aquinas. 2 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 Cardinal Alfonso López Trujillo, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, for a meeting that produced the foundational document, “Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality: Guidelines for Education within the Family.”
Alice von Hildebrand, Dietrich’s wife, reflected on the thinkers who had shaped her understanding. She counted Likoudis among those she most admired and respected, underscoring his influence among the brightest Catholic minds of the past century.3
Scott Hahn, another close friend of Likoudis, described him as a mentor who provided him with essential guidance. He said: “I have worked in the Catholic world for almost 40 years, but I know few people who have such a passion for the apostolate and for Christian unity.”
Likewise, Mike Aquilina observed, “James Likoudis really occupies a unique place in the literature of his time; faithful, but not crazy. I think many people appreciate him for his careful judgments about the postconciliar situation as it developed. Very few people had it so good.” These accolades capture the essence of Likoudis’ legacy: a brilliant mind, deeply committed to truth, whose work has illuminated the path for countless Catholics.
Jeffrey Mirus, founder of CatholicCulture.org and an influential voice in Catholic media, also called Likoudis an important mentor during his formative years.
“James Likoudis was one of several mentors from whom I had the privilege of learning as I struggled in my 20s to become more effective in defending and advancing the Catholic faith,” Mirus said. “Likoudis was already established as an advocate for authentic Catholic renewal, a leading opponent of sex education in schools, and a champion of the magisterium.”
Likoudis was not only a prominent theologian but also a dynamic figure in public life. He ran for mayor of his hometown, Watkins Glen, and spent more than two decades teaching high school civics and history and government at the Franciscan minor seminary, St. John’s of the Atonement, and Rosary Hill College in upstate New York.
In recognition of his efforts to combat moral decay in the media, he was awarded the Morality in Media Award, along with Mother Angelica, while living in Buffalo. Likoudis’ influence extended into the public eye, with appearances on popular programs such as Geraldo And The Phil Donahue Show and on EWTN. He was also a sought-after debater at packed town halls, engaging faculty and the public in discussions that drew the crowds outside, cementing his reputation as a tireless advocate for truth and morality. Likoudis’s devotion to Catholic doctrine was not limited to the theoretical; it was 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 reached far beyond the written word. His personal journey and family life reflected the principles he championed in the public sphere.
Likoudis leaves behind a profound intellectual and spiritual legacy that will continue to inspire generations of Catholics. His life 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 of CUF or his tireless advocacy for Catholic unity and fidelity, Likoudis remains a shining example of unwavering devotion 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. Likoudis’ funeral Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Assumption Grotto, Detroit, on Sept. 14.

Andrew Likoudis is an entrepreneur and studies business and communications at Towson University in Baltimore. He is the president of the Likoudis Legacy Foundation. He is the editor of six books on the papacy and ecclesiology.
Philip Blosser, Ph.D., is Professor of Philosophy at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. His most recent publication is a translation of a German work by H.G. Stoker entitled Conscience: phenomena and theories (Notre Dame, 2018).

MORE INFO:
The Likoudis Legacy Foundation, established in honor of James Likoudis, seeks to continue his work by promoting scholarly research, digital media, and initiatives that support his commitment to theological orthodoxy and unity in the church. To support the foundation’s mission and projects or learn more about them, visit likoudislegacy.com.