Mr. Novak, who spent his formative years in the seminary, was widely recognized as one of the most influential Catholic theologians of his generation. Mr. Novak joined the Congregation of Holy Cross at 14 and studied for the priesthood but ultimately left the order. In 1978, Mr. Novak joined AEI, where he retired in 2010. He served at the time of his death on the faculty of Catholic University. With his daughter Jana, Mr. Novak wrote “Tell Me Why: A Father Answers His Daughter’s Questions About God” (1998).

Source: Washington Post February 17, 2017 17:17 UTC